Kolleru Bird Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh

It is one of the biggest fresh water lakes in Asia and is a paradise for nature and scenic lovers on earth. It is blessed with rich flora and fauna. The Bird Sanctuary attracts various migratory birds from different countries such as Australia, Egypt, Siberia and Philippines in the months of October and March. It is predicted that the lake is visited by approx. 200,000 birds such as Black-winged Stilts, Avocets, Open Bill Storks, White Ibises, Teals, Shovellers, Red-Crested Pochards, painted Storks, Winged Stilts, Common Redshanks, Gadwalls and Cormorants.

Flora
The flora mainly consists of aquatic weeds like Ipomea Aquatics, Scripus, Water Hyacinth, Pharagmites, Ottelia, Typha etc. and certain tree species like Babul, Albezzia, Rain tree, Palmyrah, Prosopis and coconut trees.

A Pelican Haven
This lake supports a rich biodiversity and high biomass of fish, plankton that forms the source of food for birds. Pelicans arrive here during the nesting season to raise their young. In winter great activity can be seen here. The babble of Pelicans can be heard a quarter of a mile away. Apart from pelicans, one can find grey herons, white ibis, pond herons, egrets and many migratory ducks and water birds.

The Aquatic Life
Invertebrates like Crustaceans and Molluscs and 63 species of fish belonging to 29 families are found in the lake. Main ones are Boccha, Valugah, Korramenu, Gurak, Bangaru Teega, Jella, Ingilayh and Bommidaya. Ingilayh and Bommidaya are two species, which are under threat of extinction.

Fauna
Birds like Teals and Pintails are the main species. Other species include painted storks, open bill storks, grey Herons, cormorants, white Ibises, glossy Ibises, egrets, Reef Herons, Ducks, Coots, Shovellers, Terns, Jacanas, Moorhens etc can be seen at this Bird Sanctuary of India.

HOW TO GET THERE
Rail: The nearest Railway station is Vijayawada, which is 60-km away from the Kolleru Bird Sanctuary.

Road: This Sanctuary is approachable from Atapaka, 1.5-km from Kaikaluru town, Murthiraju Tanks 8-km from Nidamarru, Gudivakalanka 3-km from Gudivakalankas or 15-km from Eluru. One can take buses from Vijayawada.

WHERE TO STAY
Forest Rest houses are available at Vijayawada and Eluru. One can also stay in the hotels at Vijayawada.