Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Kozhikode

The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is an amazing destination if you are a bird lover. It is situated on the mouth of the River Kadalundipuzha where it discharges into the Arabian Sea in the Malappuram district of Kerala. The sanctuary is a cluster of many islands with ideal habitat for the birds to call it their home. The main hillock of the sanctuary is 200 m high above mean sea level. One can enjoy a magnificent view of the sanctuary from the main hill or from the Kadalundi Bridge. The name Kadalundi is derived from the name of the Kadalundi River.

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary houses close to a hundred species of native birds and over 60 species of the migratory birds. The unadulterated conditions secluded from human population and pollution is a safe haven for the migratory birds which travel across countries to reach this sanctuary. It’s pure music to your eyes and ears to see birds of different kind flock and fly in the air around you in the lush green environs of this part of the god’s own country. Some of the birds that you can spot here are Malabar Hornbill, Red Shanks, Green Shanks, Sand Plovers, Kingfisher, Whimbrels, Darters, Myna, Terns, Seagulls, Herons, Woodpecker, Sandpipers, Cormorants, Turnstones, Black Kites, Brahminy Kites and much more. Migratory birds like the Terns, Gulls, Herons, Woodpecker, Sandpipers, Turnstones and Cormorants reach this sanctuary in November when the climate is relatively mild and fly back by the end of April when the summer here is at its peak. The Sanctuary is also home to a variety of marine species like the Mussels, Crabs and Turtles; and of course a wide variety of fish species. You can take a ride on one of the boats of the Forest Department to have a fulfilling view of the birds flocking on the islands and over the waters. The right time to visit the sanctuary is between October to April when most of the migratory birds will be around.

Climate
Kadalundi receives monsoon rains between the months of June and September and the annual average rainfall here is 3266 mm. In the summer between March and May, the maximum temperature averages at 38°C and the minimum at 25°C and in the winter the temperature maintains between 20 to 25°C.

Flora and Fauna :
The district of Malappuram also attracted the tourists for its flora and fauna where the forest areas covered 1,03,417 hectares which is about 28.47% of total geographical area of the district out of which 80% is deciduous and the rest is evergreen. Besides the bamboo plantation, the flora of Malappuram is also famous for medicinal herbs and spices. The fauna of Malappuram is equivalent rich with full of deer, blue monkeys, rabbits, elephants, tigers, boars etc. along with the famous wildlife sanctuary of Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary.


Places to visit :                                                                                                                           

As the meaning of the Malappuram itself signifies its beauty “a land atop hills” surrounded by Nilgiri hills, Arabian Sea, tranquil backwaters and valleys that enchanted the tourists from all over the world to navigate and experience the bounty of nature’s gift of the “God’s Own Country”. Some of the major attractions of Malappuram are as under:

Teak Museum: The teak museum of Malappuram is the world’s fist museum in the world located on the side of Nilambur-Gudallur Road.

Adyan Para: This destination of Malappuram is famous for beautiful waterfalls and trekking.

Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala: Kottakkal of Malappuram district is centre of attraction for Ayurvedic holidays.

Nilambur This destination of Malappuram is famous all over the world for teak plantation.

Tirunavaya: This historical place of Malappuram is famous for historical places.

Tirur This district of Malappuram is famous for the important business centres and the birth place of the father of Malayalam literature Thunjath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan.

Kottakkal - 12 km south east of Malappuram.
This small town is home to the famed Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala, one of the pioneer institutions of Ayurveda, the traditional system of health and medicine, in Kerala. Founded in 1902 by Vaidyaratnam P S. Warrier, Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala has branches all over the State as well as in Delhi and Madras. One of the best Ayurvedic centres in the State, the Arya Vaidyasala runs an Ayurvedic research centre, a nursing home and a hospital. The chief physician can be consulted only by appointment made at least 10 days in advance. Accommodation options at the nursing home include family blocks, double rooms, single rooms and suites.Kottakal, small town of Malappur, tourist place to visit, travels and tours, tours packages india

Kottappadi Located near the renowned Ayurvedic centre atKottakkal, one can see traces of an old fort at the base of the Cantonment Hill. The fort was the first to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode. Nearby are the Vettakkorumakan Temple and the Siva Temple with the famous murals of Malabar.

The Kerala district of Malappuram is full of other tourist attractions like Perinthalmanna, Kodikuthimala, Kondotty, Tirurangadi, Kadalundi Nagaram, Tanur, Ponnani, Perumpadappa, Thirunavaya, Nilambur, Kottappadi, Kadampuzha, Mamburam, Biyyan Kayal, Kodikuthimala, Adyanpara etc.
 
Excursions :

The famous excursions from Malappuram are Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary which is located at a distance of 48 Kms, Pazhayangadi Mosque and Kondotti are located at a distance of 18 Kms.

Rivers :

The tourism of Malappuram also takes the tourists to the important rivers of Kerala flow through Malappuram district. These four rivers of the Malappuram are - Chaliyar also known as Beypore River, Kadalundipuzha, Bharathapuzha and Tirurpuzha.

Beaches :

The Malappuram tour has enchanted the tourists for its beach holidays. The famous beaches of Malappuram are:

Tanur: It was here in this coastal town where the Portuguese had made the earliest settlement. The beach of Tanur is also famous for in the history for visit of St. Francis Xavier in 1546.

Padinharekara Beach: This beach of Padinharekara is provides a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Bharathapuzha, the Tirur Puzha and the Arabian Sea.

Vallikunnu Beach:This beach resort is set in the middle of coconut groves from where the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is located at short distance.

How to Reach

Kadalundi is well connected with Kozhikode by road which is 19 kms from here. A lot of Buses, Taxis and three-wheelers are available to this place from Kozhikode. The nearest railway station is also Kozhikode at 19 kms. The nearest airport is the Kozhikode International Airport or the Karipur Airport at a distance of 23 kms.