Bird Walk at Pallikarnai Marshland, Chennai, TN

  • Chennai
  • 3 October, 2026
  • Reuben Vijay N

About Pallikaranai Marshland

Pallikaranai is one of the last big freshwater marshes left inside a major Indian metropolis, hemmed in on all sides by Chennai’s IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is a shadow of its former self — the marsh once spread across some 6,000 hectares but has been squeezed down to under 600 by decades of landfilling, road-building, and unplanned growth — yet what survives is still an internationally important wetland, formally recognised as a Ramsar site in 2022. Its mix of open water, reed beds, and seasonally flooded grassland supports more than 100 recorded fauna species and around 275 plant species, an extraordinary tally for a site now boxed in by apartment towers on almost every side.

For birders, Pallikaranai remains a genuine city-edge spectacle, drawing waterbirds, waders, and raptors that would otherwise have nowhere left to go in urban Chennai. The marsh’s fortunes have been a battleground for years, with waste dumping by the city corporation, construction debris, and pressure from nearby IT campuses steadily chipping away at what is left, even as eco-restoration work — including a public eco-park opened in 2021 — tries to hold the line. Its Ramsar status has raised its profile considerably, but conservationists are candid that the gap between protection on paper and protection on the ground remains wide. 

Bird Guide: Reuben Vijay N

He is pursuing a Master’s degree in Zoology at The New College, Chennai, with a keen interest in birdwatching and wildlife. He has participated in several bird censuses across Tamil Nadu, gaining experience in bird identification, field observation and documentation. His NCC experience has also strengthened his communication and teamwork skills.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Pallikaranai Marshland

Pallikaranai’s open water and reed beds pack in a lively mix of waterbirds and city-edge regulars, visible even on a short walk along the marsh boundary. Indian Cormorants and a Spot-billed Pelican work the open water together, while a Black Drongo watches from a wire and Black-winged Stilts pick through the shallows on impossibly long legs. Egrets are well represented, with both the Little Egret and Medium Egret stalking the margins alongside an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a snag. Rose-ringed Parakeets screech overhead as Spot-billed Ducks glide across the water, and the marsh’s ibis population — Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis both — probes the mud for food. A Black Kite circles above, a Little Grebe dives and resurfaces near the reeds, and Red-wattled Lapwings call sharply from the open ground. Closer to the marsh edge, an Asian Green Bee-eater hawks from a low perch, an Asian Koel calls from nearby trees, and a Common Tailorbird and Ashy Prinia work the scrub while a Gray Heron stands motionless at the water’s edge — a snapshot of just how much life this shrinking marsh still holds.
Indian Cormorant
Spot-billed Pelican
Black Drongo
Black-winged Stilt
Little Egret

Oriental Darter
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Glossy Ibis
Black-headed Ibis
Black Kite
Little Grebe
Red-wattled Lapwing
Asian Green Bee-eater
Asian Koel
Common Tailorbird
Grey Heron
Rock Pigeon
Common Hawk Cuckoo
Ashy Prinia

Summary of Walk

Twenty-one participants gathered at Pallikaranai Marshland Park in Chennai on 3 October for a bird walk led by guide Reuben Vijay N, and the energy of the group was matched only by the activity at the marsh. The participants were deeply interested in identifying the birds they came across, and Reuben encouraged them with patient explanations, helping each person learn how to recognise species by shape, size, behaviour and call. Together the group recorded 32 species, and the marsh offered a wonderful variety of sightings. Two Pied Kingfishers put on a beautiful display, and the group watched in delight as they hovered and dived over the water, drawing cheers every time one plunged in, and many cormorants lined the branches and the water’s edge, drying their wings in the morning sun. The impressive Spot-billed Pelican glided across the marsh, one of the most memorable sights of the day, and a few Marsh Harriers quartered low over the reeds, adding a touch of drama to the skyline. The surprise of the morning came in the form of an Indian Golden Oriole, its brilliant yellow plumage flashing among the green leaves and delighting the group, since this species is always a treat to see. The vast, open wetland, with its reed beds and shallow pools, created a wonderful sense of space and calm so close to the city. By the end of the walk, the enthusiasm was clear, and the group left looking forward to watching the changing seasons at one of Chennai’s most important natural habitats.
Number of Participants
0
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ATAAVI Bird Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the avian diversity of India. Through advocacy, education and conservation efforts, we strive to increase awareness and appreciation for birds across communities.

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