Ousteri Lake: how to see Puducherry's own bird sanctuary

Where is Ousteri Lake and how do you get there?

Ousteri Lake lies about 10 km west of Pondicherry town, reached by the Vazhudhavoor Road and the road towards Pathukannu. You need your own car, a taxi or an auto, as it sits outside town among villages and fields.

The lake straddles the boundary. On the Tamil Nadu side, the sanctuary covers Putturai and Perambai villages in Vanur taluk of Villupuram district. On the Puducherry side it is managed by the Forest and Wildlife Department. To a visitor it is one lake, and the birds pay no attention to the border.

If you are not driving yourself, our guide to getting around Pondicherry explains taxis, autos and hired cars. Ask your driver to wait, because finding a ride back from the lake later in the day is not something to count on.

Is Ousteri Lake a bird sanctuary?

Yes. The Government of Puducherry declared its part of the lake a bird sanctuary in 2008, and Tamil Nadu declared its own part in 2015, so the whole wetland is now protected from both sides.

The lake is man made, built as a reservoir, and over time it has become a true wetland of open water, marsh and mudflat. The IUCN lists it among the important wetlands of Asia, and it is one of the 93 significant Asian wetlands named by the Asian Wetland Bureau. It sits on the coast's chain of bird habitats between Pulicat to the north and Point Calimere to the south.

Which birds can you see at Ousteri Lake?

In the cooler months Ousteri holds herons, egrets, storks, pelicans, cormorants and many kinds of ducks, and around 200 species have been recorded here in all. It is also a nesting site for the common coot.

The lake is a major wintering ground, so numbers build after the northeast monsoon has filled it and fall away as the summer heat dries the edges. Towards the end of the migratory season, flocks of a few thousand flamingos have been seen here, which is the sight local birders wait for.

Mornings are best. The light comes low over the water, the birds are feeding, and the heat has not yet flattened everything. Bring binoculars: many birds keep well back from the bank.

Ousteri is the easy, close option. For the classic nesting colony experience further north, our Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary guide covers the season and the long dawn drive.

Is there boating at Ousteri Lake?

Yes. The Puducherry Tourism Development Corporation runs boating at the lake, and boating ends by around 5 pm. Boat types, trip lengths and fares are set at the boat house, so check them on arrival.

A boat gets you closer to the reed beds than the bank ever will, and on a still morning it is the best way to see the lake. Boating depends on the water level, which depends on the monsoon, so in a dry spell expect fewer options.

• Go in the morning for birds and cooler air; the afternoon is hotter and busier.
• Carry cash as well as a phone payment option.
• Keep voices down near the reeds and never chase birds for a photo.

What should you know before you visit?

Ousteri is a nature stop, not a resort. Visitors have long asked for better lighting, toilets and refreshments, and the lakeside cafeteria has not been working for a long time, so arrive self sufficient and leave before sunset.

Local residents gather on the banks in the evening for the view, but the banks and the approach road get very dark after sunset. Bring water, a hat and a snack, and wear shoes you do not mind getting muddy.

Ousteri pairs well with a morning in town. Do the lake at first light, head back for lunch, and then see the best places to visit in Pondicherry once the day cools. For the best weather window, our best time to visit Pondicherry guide sets out the seasons.