Mayani Bird Sanctuary

Mayani Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary located near Vaduj, in Maharashtra, India. Mayani is well connected from district places like Satara and Sangali, and around 20 km from Vita. It is a market place for near by villages and a developed place with colleges and medical facilities.Mayani Dam (Talav)The dam is an area where water from all over the upper region is collected because of the big wall. The Mayani bird sanctuary is established on an old dam supposedly built by British. The dam is used for irrigation by canals in nearby villages. When the water is suffice and remains after supply for farming, it is useful for birds.There are watch towers and other facilities provided and maintained by forest department. There is park nearby with a play area and guest house.The water, overflows and passes near by Mayani village and forms shape of moon crescent, and hence known as Chand Nadi. There is temple of Shiva known as Sangameshwara located in the riverbed where another small flow of water joins Chandnadi.Many migratory birds pass through the area, such as flamingos from Siberia, which come in large numbers. Approximately 400 migratory birds were reported in 2005.Other birds like the northern shoveller, stork and kingfisher are also found at the sanctuary. Other resident and migratory bird species in the winter season include: coot, brahminy duck, black ibis, painted stork, common spoonbill, etc. The nests of storks are also observed near the lake. Flamingos are regular winter visitors to the place. The flamingos are observed feeding in shallow water. They mainly feed on insects, small fish and crabs. The aquatic plant species Otolisa can be found in shallow waters - flamingos have been observed to feed on these as a food source.