Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located near the historic town of Srirangapatna, in the Mandya District of the state of Karnataka in India, is an important tourist destination from Mysore city orthe adjoining Vrindavan gardens, both of which are barely 20 km away. It is a very small sanctuary, being only 0.67 km². in area, and comprises six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River. The isolated islets and the abundance of aquatic insects during the monsoon make Ranganathittu a favorite abode for birds.
Ranganathittu attained the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940, courtesy of the visions of India’s noted ornithologist. Dr. Salim Ali observed that the isles formed an important nesting ground for birds, and persuaded the Wodeyar kings of Mysore to declare the area a wildlife sanctuary in 1940. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. The large number of birds at the sanctuary appears to have attracted a sizable number of tourists as well. A total of 2,080 foreign tourists, besides 2,02,417 domestic tourists, had visited the bird sanctuary in 1999 - 2000, according to officials.
The sanctuary, even though it lacks a sprawling area, is a delightful place to visit. What makes it inviting is that it is an important Asian nesting and breeding ground for migratory birds from all across the earth. Some species of birds that are known to have made Ranganathittu their breeding abode are spoonbills, open bill storks, darters, white Ibis, little cormorants, egret, heron, partridge, river tern, stone plougher, snake bird, and other exotic bird species that fly to the sanctuary in large flocks. Park officials and experts have traced the origins of some of these bird species to as far as Siberia, Australia and even North America. A record number of 1,400 painted storks visited the area in 1999 - 2000. Local inhabitants like kingfishers and peacocks are also found in this avian bliss. In woods and open grass lands, numerous birds, namely, Black-rumped Flameback, Rufous Tree pie, Eurasian Golden Oriole Asian Paradise-flycatcher etc are found.
Migratory birds lay their eggs on islets in the river. The authorities have created additional islets at the sanctuary to make way for more number of birds to lay eggs and breed. The birds begin arriving in the sanctuary in December every year. The migratory birds lay eggs and breed until they finally move out of the sanctuary with their little ones in August, only to return yet again the following year.
Large trees are the safe haven for the water birds. Famous water birds are Great Cormorant, Darter, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Purple Heron, Asian Openbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Spotbill Duck, Lesser Whistling-duck, River Tern, Black-bellied Tern, Black-winged Stilt, Great Thick-knee, Wire-tailed Swallow, Pied Kingfisher and White-browed Wagtail. Other water birds, namely, Egrets, herons, ibises, cormorants, pelicans, open bills and spoonbills breed between May and early September.
The breeding season arrives here in this riverine island early in the year enriched by the high organic content of the surrounding agricultural tracts and the seasonal flow-levels of the river. River Terns and Great Thick-knees breed on the rocks in the summer days. Between the months of late July and October, the Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary is thronged with young birds rested on low branches or on the projecting rockbeds.
Apart from a few raptors, the nesting birds find protection from hunters and predators. These include Osprey, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Eurasian Marsh Harrier , Black-shouldered Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallid Harrier, and Shikra.
Crocodiles and other reptiles are found basking on these rocks. These include Smooth Indian Otter, Bonnet Macaque. Also huge congregations of bats, specially the Indian Flying Fox, are founding resting on trees.
Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary has a rich wealth of wild flora and fauna. It is a wonderful sanctuary, full with lush green vegetation. Boats are available at the sanctuary to take the tourists for a ride along the river and the islets, where they can witness trees full of beautiful birds of myriad varieties. Most of the oarsmen are also excellent guides and can provide tourists the exact location as to where the birds may be spotted.
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