Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is a famous tourist spot located in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu. It is located about 35 kms to the north of Thanjavur in Ariyalur Taluk. The total area of the sanctuary is 454 ha. It has an area of 321 Sq. Kms with 108 sq. Kms of National Park area. It receives an annual rainfall of 2000 mm and the temperature varies from 14o C to 33o C. The altitude here ranges from 100` MSL to 1200` MSL. The sanctuary is home to a variety of migratory birds that visit the sanctuary during the November. Over 2.5 lakhs birds arrive in this sanctuary. The Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is an irrigation tank that receives its water from Mettur dam and also during North east monsoons. It remains dry from June till August.
Fauna of Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is visited by about 50 species of resident and migratory water birds. Some of the important birds that visit the sanctuary are highflying Barheaded Goose, Rosy and Grey Pelican, Whitenecked stork, Spoonbill, Ibis, Shoveller, Open billed Stork, Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Rosy and Grey Pelican, Grey, Night, Pond and Purple Heron, Egrets, Coot, Storks Open Billed, Spoon Bill, Painted, White Necked and White, Indian Darter (Snake bird), Common and Tufted Pochard, Shovellar, Spot Billed Duck, Kingfishers, Terns like Whiskered, Gull Billed, Black Billed and Little Tern, Sandpipers, Plovers - Little ringed and Kentish Plover, Little cormorant. Sixteen species of ducks and twenty three species of waders have been recorded in the sanctuary. Upto 50000 birds have been recorded visiting the sanctuary during peak season. Important land birds visiting sanctuary include the Rosy Pastor, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Tawny Eagle, etc. Nearly 100 species of land birds have been recorded in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is open to visitors throughout the year. However, the ideal time to visit the sanctuary is during the months of November and February.
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is well connected with all modes of transport. Tiruchirapalli airport is about 65 kms from Thanjavur. Thanjavur also has a railway junction of its own, which helps the tourists to communicate between Thanjavur and many other prominent regions of Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is located at Trichy that is located at 95 kms.
