Pelicans from OZ at Vellode birds sanctuary

More than 300 such pelicans are now in the 77.18 hectare sanctuary, 15 km from here, forest officials said.

Some brown pelicans have also arrived, officials said.

Every year, pelicans from Australia arrive in large numbers after flying about 6000 km and stay here for four months.

Adding to the cacophony at the sanctuary is more than 6000 other birds.

Usually the birds reach the sanctuary by November end, stay here till February and leave the place with its young.

Officials said Erode district is in the grip of drought and water table has registered a fall. "There is no flow of water in the LBP canal, which crosses the Big tank near the sanctuary which has little water. This has not affected the birds as they are able to still find fish in whatever is left," they said.

The state government has recently sanctioned Rs 11 lakh for improvement of ecosystem in the sanctuary. Strict vigil is maintained to safeguard the birds from poachers, officials said.