Kaggaladu Heronry Sanctuary

About Kaggaladu Heronry Sanctuary

Kaggaladu is a small village in the historic Sira Taluk of Tumkur district in south-eastern part of Karnataka state. Since 1999, the villagers have been a welcome host for Painted Storks and Grey Herons, which annually breed on the trees inside the village and raise their young ones. Kaggaladu is located about 9 km to the north-west of Sira town on the Sira-Chengavara Main Road and the heronry was first made known to the outside world in 1999 by members of the Tumkur-based NGO Wildlife Aware Nature Club.

The birds usually stay in Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary for about six months, starting from the month of February[2]. The birds start arriving in groups for the nestling season. By the end of August month, the migratory birds go back.

Kaggaladu is said to be the second largest painted storks sanctuary in South India, after Kokkare bellur sanctuary in Mandya district, Karnataka[2]. It has been observed that, many birds of the foreign origin also migrate to Kaggaladu during the nestling season.

In this bird sanctuary, one can find the birds in hundreds of number, but the big gathering of birds is not of the same feather. The tamarind trees have been maintained exclusively for birds shelter and nestling. It has been reported that, the villagers of Kaggaladu are very much attached to these migrating birds[2].

History

History of the Park

According to locals, the Grey herons have been nesting here on a single tamarind tree since 1993. Their numbers increased in 1996, when a lone tree in the neighbouring Muddakanahalli, on which these birds were nesting, was disturbed by poachers and some birds were killed. The villagers are so interested in conserving the birds that, they do not harvest the tamarind in the trees owned by them as well that of the Government. While many of the villagers are interested in protecting the birds just because they look beautiful, a few believe them as harbingers of prosperity, hence their protection

Natural History of the heronry

Flora

The dominant species of trees in the village are Tamarind Tamarindus indica and Indian Banyan Ficus benghalensis

Fauna

As the area lies in the plains of the Deccan Plateau, bordering Andhra Pradesh, the wildlife found here is related to the drier areas. WANC is compiling a detailed report of the flora and fauna found in the area. But notably a few herds of blackbuck roam around Kaggaladu and surrounding villages. Also some of the villagers claim to have sighted the Great Indian Bustard in the area, but this has not yet been confirmed.

Location info

• Address:

• District:

• Nearest City: Sira, Tumkur City

• Best time to visit:

Nearest visiting places

• Aralaguppe

There are Hoysala temples here belonging to the last days of the Hoysala dynasty. The Kalleshwara temple of the much older Noramba dynasty is famous here. Noramba dynasty ruled the Karnataka area at the same time as the West Ganga dynasty and built many temples here

• Shimsha River

Shimsha is a river that flows in the state of Karnataka, India. It is one of the tributaries of the river Kaveri, which is one of the major rivers of South India. The river originates in the southern part of the Devarayanadurga hill in the Tumkur district of Karnataka and flows for about 221 km. before joining the river Kaveri

• Marconahally Dam

A large minor irrigation project dam built in 1942 by the British.Markonahalli Dam is a dam built across the river Shimsha in the Kunigal Taluk of Tumkur district. It was built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the king of Mysore under the guidance of his Diwan, Sir M Visweswaraiah.Constructed across river Shimsha

Helpline & emergency contacts

• Police Station:

• Nearest Hospital:

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from budget lodges to luxury resorts. Booking ahead during Dasara (Mysore) and peak winter season is recommended.

Climate & weather

Karnataka has a varied climate from the humid coast to the dry Deccan plateau and cool Western Ghats. The best time to visit is October to March, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C depending on region. April–May is hot across most of the state (up to 38°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape — this is the best time for Jog Falls and Coorg’s lush greenery. Hill stations (Coorg, Chikmagalur) remain pleasant year-round. Bangalore has a moderate climate throughout.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Kaggaladu Heronry Sanctuary

November to March is the peak season when migratory birds arrive. Early morning (6:00-9:00 AM) and late afternoon (3:00-5:30 PM) are the best times of day for bird watching. The sanctuary is open year-round but is most active during winter.

Timings & opening hours

Safari timings: Morning safari 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, Evening safari 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM (timings vary by season). The sanctuary is typically closed during the monsoon season (July to September) for breeding and forest regeneration.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: ₹20-₹50 for Indian nationals, ₹100-₹200 for foreign nationals. Camera fee: ₹25 for still, ₹100 for video. Binoculars available for rent at some sanctuaries (₹50-₹100).

Duration needed

A typical safari lasts 2-3 hours. One safari is sufficient for a basic experience, but staying overnight and taking both morning and evening safaris increases wildlife sighting opportunities significantly.

Safety tips

Stay inside the safari vehicle at all times. Do not get out of the vehicle inside the sanctuary. Do not feed or tease animals. Maintain silence for better wildlife viewing. Wear earth-toned clothing. No smoking or littering inside the forest. Follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Things to carry

Binoculars for wildlife viewing, camera with zoom lens, water bottles, hat/cap, sunscreen, insect repellent, light snacks, and identification documents for safari booking. Wear earth-toned clothing — avoid bright colours.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station varies by sanctuary location — typically Mysore, Shimoga, or Hubli. Nearest airport: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Mysore Airport (MYQ), or Hubli Airport (HBX). KSRTC buses connect nearby cities to the sanctuary approach road.

Things to do at Kaggaladu Heronry Sanctuary

Bird watching is the primary activity — bring binoculars and a field guide. Nature walks along designated trails. Photography of birds and landscapes. Visit during early morning or late afternoon when birds are most active. Hire a local guide for the best bird-spotting experience.

Things to visit & highlights

The main wildlife viewing areas where tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, and other mammals are commonly sighted. Watchtowers and waterholes offer concentrated wildlife viewing. The sanctuary entrance has interpretation centres. Nearby reservoirs attract birds and animals.

Frequently asked questions

What birds can I see? Bird sanctuaries in Karnataka host a variety of resident and migratory birds including herons, egrets, storks, kingfishers, and many species of waterfowl. Winter months (November-February) see the highest diversity.

What is the best time of day for bird watching? Early morning (6:00-9:00 AM) and late afternoon (3:00-5:30 PM) are the most active periods for bird activity.

Can I bring binoculars? Yes, binoculars are essential for bird watching. Some sanctuaries offer binoculars for rent at the entrance.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Birds Sanctuaries

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Kaggaladu Heronry Sanctuary

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Kaggaladu Heronry Sanctuary on popular travel photography sites and social media.