Western Ghats Endemic Birding Tours..
Southern Western Ghats birding trip report...
Day 1-3, Thattekad.
Arrived at Cochin Airport at 10:30 am, from Delhi. Our accompany guide for the entire trip, Mr. Jomon and driver Mr. Shaan were at the airport to receive us. It was a 1:30 minutes drive to Thattekad. The resort we were staying was very close to the Thattekad bird sanctuary. As soon as we entered the property, we spotted White-cheeked barbets and Malabar-grey hornbills feeding on the guava fruit tree. I was amazed by the size of Malabar giant squirrels who were not bothered about human presence.
After lunch we had a short rest, as Thattekad is quite hot and humid during mid day. Our first guided birding session started at 3:00 pm. We went to the Salim Ali bird sanctuary which was only 10 minutes walk from our accommodation. Malabar parakeet, White-bellied treepie, Malabar starling, Flame-throated bulbul, Malabar Flame back, Heart-spotted woodpecker, Black-throated munias we all lifers to us.
We left for the nocturnal birding session at 6:15 pm, after a short tea break. The birding area was not far. It was a dry looking rocky open forest area with several other guides and clients waiting for the sun to go down. Once the light became low, suddenly the surrounding became alive with the sound of Jerdon’s nightjar. We had great views of Jungle nightjar, Brown boobook, Indian scops owl, Jerdon’s nightjar and Great eared nightjar.
Second and third day birding programs were almost similar. Having early breakfast and starting at 7:00 am, coming back by around 11:oo am. After lunch and some rest, going out by 3:00 pm and back for tea snacks by 5:45 pm. Again starting at 6:15 pm for nocturnal birding, to be back by 8:00 pm for dinner. Srilankan Frogmouth, Malabar trogon, Srilankan Bay owl, Malabar starling, Crimson backed sunbird, Black Bazza, Grey-fronted green pigoen, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, White- bellied treepie were some of the main target species. During the nocturnal sessions, we were able to see Mottled wood owl, Spot-bellied eagle owl and Oriental scops owl.
Day 4 & 5, Periyar.
After a short morning session and breakfast, we packed up and started our 4 and half hours journey to Periyar tiger reserve. We reached the hotel by 6:00 pm only as we had stopped at a couple of places for tea break and sight seeing.
The next day morning, after a quick breakfast, we started at 6:30 am as our trail was booked for 7:00 am. Periyar, being a tiger reserve have designated trails and limited slots available for guests. Tickets had been booked online by Jomon in advance. We put on leech socks provided by the park and followed the park guide who was very friendly. Our early morning walk along the forested banks of pristine Periyar lake was a wonderful experience.
Great Indian hornbill was the remarkable sighting on that trail. Malabar imperial pigeon, paddy field pipits, pin tailed snipe and several other water birds were also spotted. We were lucky to spot a herd of wild Asiatic elephants and a few Indian Gaur. We returned to the hotel for lunch and some rest before setting out for afternoon session.
We left the hotel at 2:30 pm for the afternoon session. A different trail was booked for afternoon and our main target was the endemic Waynad laughing thrush, which is seen only in a very small area of the southern western ghats. Rufous babbler, Oriental scops owl and several flycathers were among the initial sightings. Finally after a long trek along the trails, we were fortunate to get a decent view of the highly endemic Waynad laughing thrush.
Day 6 & 7, Munnar.
On day 6, after an early morning breakfast, we checked out and started journey towards Munnar. We drove down the winding roads of western ghats in to the plains of Tamilnadu. The landscape was quite flat with straight roads and vast agricultural land. We stopped at a few locations on the route to observe Black-winged kite, Glossy Ibis, Black-headed Ibis and a few other water birds. After driving parallel to the western ghats for a few hours, we drove up the Bodi ghats, where spotted Yellow throated bulbul, Booted eagle and some other raptors.
We checked into the resort at Munnar by around 1:30 pm. After lunch and some rest our guide picked us for the afternoon session. Evening birding was mostly along small patches of shola forests along the roadside. Palani laughing thrush, Indian Scimitar babbler, Nilgiri flycatcher, Nilgiri woodpigeon were among the highlights.
On day 7 morning, we went to Eravikulam national park which is a sanctuary for Nilgiri Tahr. Nilgiri Tahr is an endemic and endangered mountain goat species found along the high elevations of southern western ghats. Apart from the Nilgiri Tahr, endemic Nilgiri Langurs, Nilgiri Pipit, Painted bush quail, Black and orange flycatcher, White-bellied Sholakili, Hill Swallows were among the targets. Lunch break was followed by afternoon session.
FAQs..
What is the duration of Western Ghats endemic birding trip?
Duration of our South Indian endemic birding trips can range from 12 nights/ 13 days to 14 days/ 15 nights, depending on the locations included.
What are the minimum and maximun number of participants required for the trip?
We can organize the Western Ghats endemic trip even for a single person. With at least two or more participants, the trip will be much economical. Maximum number of participants are limited to 6, so that individual attention wont be compromised.
Which is the best time to do Western Ghats birding and what are the tour dates?
October to March is the best season to Visit Western Ghats.
Our birding tours are not pre announced fixed date trips. We arrange customisable birding tours as per client requirements.
Which are the places covered in this Western Ghats birding tour?
Endemic birding in Southern Western ghats is spread across the southern states of Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka.
Primary birding hotspots include- Thattekad, Periyar, Munnar, Chinnar, Valparai, Ooty, Masinagudi, Ranganathittu.
Which are the starting and finishing locations of south Indian Endemic birding trip?
Our Western Ghats birding trips can be organized in two different routes.
1-Starting from Cochin International Airport and Finishing at Bangalore Airport.
2-Starting at Bangalore Airport and finishing at Cochin.
Which are the highlight species of Western Ghats endemic birding trip?
Western Ghats is home to a large number of endemic birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants.
Nilgiri sholakili, Nilgiri flycatcher, White-bellied sholakili, Palani laughing thrush, Nilgiri laughingthrush, White-bellied flycatcher, Malabar trogon, Nilgiri woodpigeon, Nilgiri flowerpecker, Malabar Parakeet, white-bellied minivet are only a few among the 25+ endemics of the region.
We can spot around 260-280 bird species in total during a south Indian birding trip. Animals like Indian Gaur, Asiatic Elephant, Sloth bear, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Grey Langur, Malabar giant squirrel can also be spotted.
Will professional guides be available?
Well experienced professional bird guide will be accompanying you through out the trip, right from the airport.
Is this western ghats birding tour good for bird photography?
Our birding trips can be customized for bird photography enthusiasts.
How physically demanding is the trip?
Our programs are designed to be relaxed birding trips, suitable for most fitness levels. Most of the walking trails will be flat without much hiking.
What will be the cost of a typical western ghats birding trip?
We organize birding trips in economy and premium budgets, depending on the client’s preferences.
A typical 12 nights/13 days Western Ghats birding trip will cost around 3000 USD for 2 pax.
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