Gudavi Bird Sanctuary

Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is a small but significant wetland bird sanctuary near Sorab in Shimoga district of Karnataka. The sanctuary is centered around a shallow lake surrounded by marshes and scrubland that becomes a breeding ground for waterbirds during the monsoon. Painted storks, white ibises, night herons, little cormorants, and darters nest here in good numbers. A watchtower on the lake's edge provides elevated views of the nesting colonies. The sanctuary is off the main tourist radar, offering peaceful birding without crowds. It's best combined with a trip to the Shimoga–Jog Falls region. The birding here is seasonal — the monsoon months (June–September) bring the largest congregations, while the lake can dry up in peak summer.