12 kms out of Kottayam in
Kerala is the breathtakingly beautiful Kumarakom, a cluster of little islands
dotting the wide Vembanad
Lake. One of the places
of interest at this locale is the bird sanctuary which is a favorite haunt of
migratory birds. A large number of mangrove forests cover most of the area
here. Green paddy fields and coconut groves provide a perfect home to birds.
Home to egrets, darters,
herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo and wild duck, the sanctuary is an
ornithologist?s delight. During peak migratory season, the visitor is treated
to the sight of flocks of migratory birds like the Siberian Crane; Indian
Peafowl perched atop trees across the region.
Kumarakom offers a range of
bird watching spots for avid bird watchers. The best way to watch the birds of
the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands. Keep your binoculars
and your camera handy to catch the psychedelic beauty of the native kingfisher.
Moor your boat to a small island and walk under the rookeries of egrets and
night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and delight in the acrobatics of
the paradise fly catcher. The flora of this rugged terrain adds colors to this
picturesque bird sanctuary. This is God's Own County
at its very best.
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