Nellore: Stage is set for the unique and only one of its kinds in the country, Flamingo festival at Sullurpeta from Friday. The festival is being organised every year from last one decade to mark the arrival of migratory birds to their winter sojourn from all parts of the country and also from Siberia.
However, the turnout of migratory birds is not to the extent of what it was in the past at Pulicat Lake and it is being attributed to shortage of water in the Lake as a result of the failure of northeast monsoon last year.
However, the Nelapattu bird sanctuary is full to its brim with birds because of the availability of the water in the tank located in the midst of the sanctuary.
While Pulicat is home for Greater Flamingoes apart from 35 varieties of birds, Nelapattu is the breeding ground for various birds especially for Grey Pelicans, Open billed Storks, Little Cormorants and Oriental White Ibis.
According to B. Chandrasekhar, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), forest officials have been taking census of the migratory birds on daily basis.
Speaking to this newspaper, he said that there are more than 58,000 migratory birds in Pulicat area and 8000 in Nelapattu bird sanctuary as of now.
Among others there are 17,000 Flamingoes, 1150 Pond Herons, 2700 Painted Storks, 3600 Little Egrets, 3700 Cattle Egrets, 4000 Little Stints, 1000 River Terns, 1500 Common Coots, 3500 Northern Shovelers, 2000 Spot Bills and 3000 Pin Tailed Snipe apart from different local varieties.
In case of Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, there are 13000 Grey Pelicans and 2000 each of Open Billed Stork, Little Cormorant and Oriental White Ibis. Incidentally Pulicat Lake is the feeding ground for all the birds whether they are in Pulicat or Nelapattu, which is located very close to the Lake.
Chandrasekhar said that they have made elaborate arrangements for the benefit of visitors coming for Flamingo festival.
