Jan 08, 2009 10:08 PM
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The Saturday edition of Times of India [ Chennai] mentioned VEDANTHANGAL as a place full of migratory birds… to be enjoyed as a family trip some 50 kms from Chennai.
And they were right !
On 25th Dec’08 I drove down ECR through Tamabaram to Vandalur – and then I get lost! May be due to my pronunciation – there was nobody who could give me the directions. Except one of course…Keep going down the same route till you hit a toll plaza and from there take a bypass at Chengalpett.
I reached around noon and was surprised to see the crowd.You have all sizes of vehicles and there occupants crowding the lake.
Vedanthangal is a lake which attracts migratory birds during Dec – Feb. The entire place is full of birds perched in trees ... In case you have visited Ranganathittu [ on way from Bangalore to Mysore ] you can visualize Vedanthangal.
From the look of the entrance etc I could feel that the Forest Department folks have created a structure on one side of the lake for visitors to walk and enjoy the view of the lake full of birds.
Now my knowledge of birds does not extend beyond ostriches and flamingos, but even then I paid Rs 150 for my video camera and trained the lenses on some birds whose names I am yet to find!
Most herons, storks, pelicans and cormorants…..
The kids enjoyed viewing the birds taking off or fighting for a branch in an already overcrowded tree…. This is first time I hear the sound of a kite .....:)
There is a watch tower [I saw 1975 mentioned along with some other sentences in Tamil – so most probably the place by inaugurated in ’75] with a binocular – but it is better you carry your own or hire one outside.
Cement seats are usually occupied - but in case you find one empty - be seated and be patient for the birds to swoop by you - its true - it happened to me !
You would need around an hour walking the entire stretch so my family was out of the place by 2 p.m.Carry your foods – there is no proper restaurant in vicinity. Water, cold drinks, wafers , guava – that’s what you get!
The nature interpretation centre is in shambles - don't waste time visiting the place.I had some hot bhajji [vegetables deep fried with flour coating] and drove back to my nest in Besant Nagar.
