It is also known as Kodikkarai, this coastal sanctuary is 90 km south-east of Thanjavur in a wetland which juts out into the Palk Strait separating India and Sri Lanka. It is noted for the vast flocks of migratory water fowl, especially flamingos, which congregate here every winter.

Best Time To Visit  is between November and January when the tidal mud flats and marshes are covered with teals, shovellers, curlews, gulls, terns, plovers, sandpipers, shanks, herons and up to 3000 flamingoes at one time. In the spring, a different set of birds-Koels, mynas and barbets are drawn here by the profusion of wild berries. Black buck, spotted deer and wild pig also congregate here. From April to June there's very little activity; the main rainy season is between October and December.