Rajan,
Nelapattu is unlike Bharatpur where you will find birds throughout the year. They close the place by March end or so when the last of the Pelicans have left. Pulicat Sanctuary near Shar road is now mostly dry. You can find a few coots, sandpiper, pond herons, open billed storks in a small patch. So the season is effectively over now. If you wander around you can find a hare or two inside as well.

Nelapattu Sanctuary opens at 8 am in the morning when the light is turning harsh. It is easy to burn the whites of a Pelican, especially in harsh light. So most of the times, I first drive to Sullurpet and then go to Nelapattu. You won't get food nearby. So it is better to take some munches. There have been times when I have spent a full day in that area without food.

There is a small tea shop outside the gate of Sriharikota (Satish Dhawan Space centre). In 2007, I had some Puri bhaji and tea, costing a total of 7 or 8 rupees. However a word of caution, not everybody can handle such food.

There is a forest rest house, but it is in dilapidated condition and booking is not given. About 20 kms or so from Sullurpet, while driving towards chennai, on the left hand side there is a AP Tourism hotel, in case you want to stay there overnight. They only had non-AC rooms costing a maximum of around 500 or 600 rupees.