Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary : A Brief Visit From Bangalore

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On a cloudy, overcast day,we managed to find time to visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, a tiny 40 acre place that sustains so much wildlife. Only some 130 km from Bangalore, one can easily make the trip in a day. The sanctuary is more like a public park, with cemented parking lot, paved walkways etc and even a canteen. Its tiny, and you should be able to cover it quickly. Do take time out for a boat safari through the waters.

Around 1648 when an embankment was made on the Kaveri River, islets were formed by the resultant water rising. These islets became fantastic breeding habitats for birds. The noted ornithologist Salim Ali persuaded the Wodiyar Kings of Mysore to protect this habitat and in 1940 it was declared a sanctuary. More than 170 bird species and many mammals like Indian Flying Foxes, Common Palm Civet, Bonnet Macaques, Indian Grey Mongoose are found here. Ranganathittu also has one of the largest populations of fresh water crocodiles in Karnataka. Overall, a great place to visit, but we wished it were much much larger.

Islets in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Take a safari in one of these boats at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

An Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans) at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

A Muggermach or Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris ) basks in the sun at Ranganathittu. Reptiles need sunlight to regulate their body temperatures.

Asian Openbill Storks roosting on a tree in an islet on Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Here youc an see why it is called an Openbill. An Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans)

Close up of an Egret

A Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), spotted while in the boat safari

We get a closer look of the Muggermach. Love that teethy smile…

Tickell’s BlueFlycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae). A small area like this can sustain so much wildlife. Imagine if Ranganathittu were muich bigger?

The Common Crow Butterfly, also known as Euploea Core. “As caterpillars, this species sequesters toxins from its food plant which are passed on from larva to pupa to the adult.” This makes the butterfly rather unpalatable.

Where to stay at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: Although there is no stay within the sanctuary, you can find good accommodation at KSTDC Mayura at Srirangapatna.

Best Time to Visit: Avoid the monssons. Which is mid- June to August.

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