Gudavi

गुडवि

Another bird sanctuary worth visiting is the Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, which is located in Gudavi of Sorab taluk in Shimoga District and is also the only sanctuary situated in the midst of a dense forest. One of the five famous bird sanctuaries of Karnataka, the Guduvi Bird Sanctuary is 16 km from Sorab taluk of the Shimoga district and is spread over an area of 73.68 hectares.

According to a 1993 Survey, around 191 varieties birds inhabit this sanctuary and the natural lake and trees gives shelter to these birds, the primary important ones being White Pebis, Stone Bill, Egret, Cormorant, Snake bird and Heron. At the sanctuary, different

birds emigrate from other parts of the world in different seasons for breeding. A platform is built at the sanctuary for a closer view of the birds.

The sanctuary is open to visitors from 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM and the best time of the year to visit the Guduvi Bird Sanctuary is between June and November. The nearest major town is Sirsi and the route by road is Sirsi-Banavasi-Gudavi and it takes a time of approximately two hours.