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Calimere
Wildlife Sanctuary
 Location
: 90-Km Southeast Of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Area
: 17.26-Sqkms
Also Called
: Kodikkarai Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Time To Visit
: Between November And January
The
Calimere wildlife sanctury
is sprawled over an area of 17.26-sq-kms, encircled by sea and shore. It has forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests of mangroves and is located 90-km southeast of Thanjavur in a wetland which extends out into the Palk Strait dividing India and Sri Lanka.
This sanctuary is known for the wide variety of migratory birds like waterfowl, especially flamingos, which gather here every winter. The sanctuary is spread over a vast land, which is mostly covered with shrubs, molded by the violent monsoon winds and treated mercilessly by feral cattle, horses and the graceful buck.
The months of November and January brings tides because of which the tidal mud becomes flat. The marshes are covered with Teals, Curlews, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shanks, Herons and up to 3000 Flamingoes at one time.
Besides these one can also find varied fauna such as Chital, Wild boar, Bonnet macaque, Black Buck, Flamingos, Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plavers and Stilts. Major attractions at this sanctuary are close encounters with Dolphins and Turtles, which often come quite close to the shore.
How To Get There
Road :
The easiest way to get to Calimere is by bus from Vedaranyam, which is the nearest town linked by frequent bus services to Nagappattinam or Thanjavur.
Accomodation
There's a Forest Department Rest House with adequate rooms at Point Calimere, though all meals will have to be arranged with the staff. It's best to make a reservation for the rest house with the Forest Officer in Thanjavur
Best Time To Visit is between November and January when the tidal mud flats and marshes are covered with teals, shovellers, curlews, gulls, terns, plovers, sandpipers, shanks, herons and up to 3000 flamingoes at one time. In the spring, a different set of birds-Koels, mynas and barbets are drawn here by the profusion of wild berries. Black buck, spotted deer and wild pig also congregate here. From April to June there's very little activity; the main rainy season is between October and December.
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