It is a
breeding ground for about 50 local and intercontinental
migratory bird species that have been visiting the lake
throughout the calendar year for generations. This is not
a legally protected area but the local villagers and gram
panchayat take conscious efforts to offer protection to
these avian visitors. In the year 2001, the lake was a
nesting spot for around 1550 birds of diverse species,
such as painted storks and adjutant storks, Asian openbilled
storks and black-headed ibis. As per a report in
January 2007, on an average over 3,500 pelicans and
a similar number of painted storks visit this densely
populated sanctuary. ‘The number of Siberian migratory birds is also high and they have arrived
one month ahead of the regular schedule this year,’ points out Nageswara Rao, caretaker of the
area.
The number of birds inhabiting this small stretch of land/water also makes it an area with one
of the densest populations of migratory birds at any given time anywhere in India—the number of
birds could range between 3,000 and 12,000. Ibises, which arrive around June and leave within
three months, choose to breed here.