Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary | Mandagadde Sanctuary Attractions

A bird chirping away, here and there you look, to spot this little creature with a melodious song. Frustration building, as you look frantically through the leaves, the bushes, where is it you wonder to yourself. This species often scared easy by the tiniest bit of noise, are quite hard to spot in today’s concrete jungles. Well, let’s explore a little bit of their natural habitat instead.

The famous Tunga River is known for a variety of things, it’s beautifully sweet water, the several temples situated on its banks, and most impressive of all, the little island in Mandagadde.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary. Image courtesyImage source

This small island, 1.14 acres in size is home to one of the few bird sanctuaries in the Malnad region of Karnataka. At a distance of around 32 Kilometres from Shimoga, on the way to Theerthalli, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary has attracted visitors from near and far

Birds at Mandagadde Sanctuary

Dense forest, with lush greenery all around, one might think that the birds are easy to miss, right? Well, wrong! With over 5000 birds, the pandemonium of sound created by the vast numbers of the chirping little beings can be a bit heavy on the ear drums.

However, the sheer view of these numerous avians in such close range is a sight for sore eyes. Never ceasing to impress, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary welcomes you with shades of green, and a white specks than one can count. On closer inspection, it starts to dawn on you that every single white speck is, in fact, a little beautiful creature.

The roaring waters of the mighty Tunga River provide ideal conditions for nesting and breeding of the lovely birds. Migratory birds travel from all over the world to the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, during the month of May for breeding purposes.

The three most important of these species are Darters, Median Egrets, and Cormorants. The quaint little island is also graced by the presence of various other varieties, such as the Maiden Egret, Pied Kingfisher, Wooly Neck Stalk, Night Herons, Open-billed storks etc. It is often noticed that all these birds prefer to nest on the higher branches of the fauna; this is due to the fact that the Tunga River often floods to drastic proportions during the Monsoon.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, shimoga, sightseeing shimoga

An egret at Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary. Image courtesy Yashhegde

Activities in Mandagadde

The best season to visit would be between July and October, with August being the peak. This sanctuary has various activities for one to do. A delightful treat for capturing moments through a lens, one can not simply visit without their camera. The scenic landscape, with misty mornings and numerous chances to capture just the right moments, appeal not only to all the photographers out there but rather to anyone that can appreciate the true beauty of Mother Nature.

Birdwatching

It is a given that one of the most important activities in Mandagadde is bird watching! To further help with this, a watch tower has been erected solely for exclusive viewing from a higher vantage.

Trekking

Being rather small in size is anything but a weakness for this rustic territory. Bird watchers, tourists, families, the birds of Mandagadde indeed cater to a large audience. Adventure lovers too have something to take back. Routes for trekking and spots to pitch tents are also possible.

Boat Riding

During the summer months, the state forest department has made arrangements for coracle rides that give you a closer “on the field” look at the avians. The sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair and the flora and fauna of Mandagadde, will leave you with memories to cherish for years to come. The coracle rides might just help you spot a crocodile or two, as well!

Mandagadde bird Sanctuary – Nearby Attractions

Gajanur Dam

12 Kilometers from Shimoga lies the Majestic Gajanur Dam. Built in 1972 by the Mysore Construction Company, this dam is home to many bird species. A serene setting with lush plantations all around is a great sight.

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp

The elephant camp is a major tourist attraction that has many unique activities. Bathing elephants, and spending time with them are just a few of these. At a distance of 15 kilometres from Mandagadde, the elephant camp is something one just should not miss.

How to Reach Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary

Accessible through various means of transport, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is an exotic getaway for even those short weekend trips.

By Road

At a distance of 345 kilometres from Bangalore, Mandagadde can be reached by road, constant KSRTC and private buses do ply all the way to the Bird Sanctuary. Other forms include car, which would take approximately 5-6 hours from Bangalore.

By Rail

A short 4-5 hour journey from Bangalore, at a meager rate of INR 110, rail travel might just be the smartest mode of travel. The closest railway station being Shimoga, additional road transport would have to be arranged from there to the Bird Sanctuary.

By Air

Air travel is a bit of a hassle as the Mangalore Airport is the nearest, at a distance of 145 Kilometers. Road and rail transport from the airport are easily available, right until the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary.