Winged visitors from Australia arrive in Anthiyur

ERODE: With the northeast monsoon setting in over Tamil Nadu, there has been an increase in the number of Australian Pelicans arriving at the Varattupallam reservoir in Anthiyur forests.

Forest officials said the reservoir is situated five km from the forest area.

During this season, a number of birds including the Australian Pelican arrive, lay eggs on trees in the forest area near the reservoir and hatch them before leaving by the middle or end of December, they said.

Similarly Gettisamudran Eari (Tank) nearby now has copious water due to heavy rain and some pelicans have been noticed there for breeding, officials said.

About 100 pelicans arrived in the reservoir area by mid October and forest officials are expecting about 100 more.

Meanwhile, at Vellode Birds Sanctuary, 15km from Erode, about 100 white pelicans from Austria and Australia have arrived for breeding. They will remain here for three months, hatch their eggs and leave with their chicks.

Forest officials said they were expecting more pelicans to the sanctuary.