Mayani Bird Sanctuary is the bird sanctuary located near Vaduj in Maharashtra. Mayani Bird Sanctuary is well connected from district places like Satara district and Sangli district. Mayani Bird Sanctuary is around 20 kilo meters from Vita. Mayani Bird Sanctuary is a market place for nearby villages and a developed place with colleges and medical facilities.
Mayani Bird Sanctuary offers the scenic beauty of the lake and the forest. Near Mayani Bird Sanctuary there is a dam located which is the cynosure to the tourists. The dam is an area where water from all over the upper region is collected because of the big wall.
Mayani bird sanctuary is established on an old dam supposedly built by government of British colonial empire. The dam is used for irrigation by canals in nearby villages. There are watch towers and other facilities provided and maintained by forest department of Maharashtra. There is park nearby with a play area and guest house which is fostering the tourism in this place. The water overflows and passes near by Mayani village and forms shape of moon crescent, and hence known as Chand Nadi. There is temple of Lord Shiva known as Sangameshwara. This old temple of Lord Shiva is located in the riverbed where another small flow of water joins Chandnadi.
Many migratory birds come at this place for its ambience. These exotic birds pass through the area, such as flamingos from Siberia, which come in large numbers. Approximately 400 migratory birds were reported in 2005. Other birds come in Mayani Bird Sanctuary are the Northern Shoveler, Stork and Kingfisher. These are also found at the sanctuary. Other resident and migratory bird species in the winter season includes Coot, Brahminy Ducks, Black Ibis, Painted storks, Common Spoon bills, etc. The nests of storks are also observed near the lake of Mayani Bird Sanctuary. Flamingos are regular winter visitors to Mayani Bird Sanctuary. The flamingo species in Mayani Bird Sanctuary are observed feeding in shallow water. They mainly feed on insects, small fishes and crabs. These aquatic plant species Otolisa can be found in shallow waters.
Mayani Bird Sanctuary is studied as a typical wetland ecosystem which is rich in flora and fauna. It is observed that, the hydro-phytic species like otolia sps grows very well in shallow water. It is the main source of food for aquatic birds. Other foods for the birds like the small fishes, crabs, water insects etc. also observed. Some efforts have been made for conservation of natural forest near the lake.
