Adding a unique touch to the traditional  Margazhi  celebration of Chennai (which ranges from observation of rituals to attending musical concerts) is a bird watching series arranged by city-based Care Earth Trust, along with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
According to the organisers, Margazhi  coincides with the arrival of the migratory birds in wetlands in and around Chennai. The guided-birding experience is a good opportunity to observe and know about these birds. In this third edition of the Margazhi bird watching experience, participants will be taken in small groups around the Pallikaranai marshland by researchers and seasoned birdwatchers to spot resident and migrant birds.
This freshwater wetland is about 20km south of Chennai city centre. According to an Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Newsletter - Pallikaranai marshland is one of the 94 identified wetlands under National Wetland Conservation and Management Programme (NWCMP) operationalised by the Government of India in 1985&ndash86 and one of the three in the state of Tamil Nadu, the other two being Point Calimere and Kazhuveli.
Although, according to birders, the inclement weather has affected the arrival of birds, still there are lots of species to look forward to. Two of the species which attract most people are the painted storks and the flamingos.
The Information
Called the  Margazhi Bird Utsav, the event is being organised on select weekends until January 9, 2022. While participation is free, pre-registration is must. The assembly point is Mohammad Sathak College Gate, Perumbakkam Main Road, Sholinganallur.