Eventhough i have birded the endemic rich parts of Western Ghats (TamilNadu, Kerala and Kartnataka), it was not intense and i was in my baby steps during those days. So, with little bit of homework and a list, it’s time to get some intense birding. Munnar became a clear undisputed winner among several others given the different elevations and lots of potential targets. The trip was divided into several legs as this was mainly a trip back home to visit family. 

Itinerary : 

Jan 23 – Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Jan 24 – Munnar, Kerala
Jan 25 – Munnar, Kerala
Jan 26 – Valparai, TamilNadu
Feb 3 – Kothagiri, TamilNadu
Feb 4 – Coonoor, TamilNadu
Feb 10 – Yercaud, Salem, TamilNadu
Feb 12 – Coimbatore & Tiruppur, TamilNadu

Logistics and Accommodation :

For the entire travel, own vehicle has been used. The roads were generally good. The roads in Munnar can be tricky at some places, very narrow and steep.

Munnar – Hotel was booked through Oyo rooms for 2500 INR/day. Excellent place for stay, cons were overpriced food and a massively narrow and steep access road.

Valaparai – Saravana Grand Hotel. No online booking available, booking only available through calling their front desk(+91 4253 222 467). Very friendly staff,  decent rooms for  1400 INR/day. Only setback is the car parking which is bit cramped. 

Kotagiri – Trilan Cottages. Just walked in and got the room for 1500 INR/day. 

Western Ghats Birding Areas :

Grey-headed Bulbul, Common Rosefinches

Yellow-throated Bulbul

Bar-headed Geese, Waterfowl and Small Pratincole.

Indian Courser, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Raptors

Kerala Laughingthrush

Rufous-bellied Eagle

Brown Hawk Owl

Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl

Day Wise Itinerary :

Jan 23 –  Started from Homebase, picked up Mothi at the Erode Railway station. We stopped for Breakfast at Udumalaipet. Uday who came from Madurai joined us here and we were set to hit our first spot, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. We arrived at Chinnar, slightly past 8AM, paid the trek/guide fee at the booth and set on foot. Orange Minivet, Common Iora, Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater, Crested Treeswift were plenty at the start of the trail. The path came to clearing which produced Small Minivets, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-headed Cuckoo Shrike, Bronzed and White-bellied Drongo. The trekking guides now led us to a stream and we walked alongside the stream scanning the mature old trees along. After a lengthy search, the guiding duo of Vijayan/Shiju found the ultimate prize of the trek Spot-bellied Eagle Owl. We spent couple more hours along the stream picking up Common Kingfisher, Crested Hawk Eagle, Shikra, Indian Golden Oriole, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Brown Fish Owl.  Lunch at Marayur, the road between Chinnar and Marayoor is potential for Legge’s Hawk Eagle and Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle but we weren’t able to score either of them. We birded enroute to Munnar picking up further more birds for the day. Marayoor yielded Chestnut-tailed Starlings, Golden Fronted Leafbird, Plum-headed Parakeet, Common Rosefinches, Black Eagle. Shortly before Eravikulam National Park, we picked up the highly anticipated Kerala Laughingthrush, Niligiri Flycatcher and Indian Scimitar Babbler. We called it end of the day and checked-into our hotel “Pallivasal Valley View”.  

western ghats

Spot-bellied Eagle Owl – A nice bird to start the trip

Another Owl on the same day

His Majesty – Indian Paradise Flycatcher

Golden-fronted Leafbird

White-bellied Drongo

Long-tailed Shrike

Grizzled Giant Squirrel at Chinnar

Jan 24 – Our top priority for the day is to obtain some decent photographs of Kerala Laughingthrush. Our destination is Top Station and surrounding areas. As expected, Top Station delivered stunning views of Kerala Laughingthrush. Just few Kilometres after the Top Station, we stopped at the checkpost of PompadumShola National Park to register and we were totally caught in surprise by the endemic White-bellied Blue Robin right at the checkpost. The forest department guards grew nervous about our presence and gave strict instructions not to stop or alight the vehicle until the end of the reserve road. We drove the car slowly throughout the stretch of the national park road picking up the sole Malabar Trogon of the trip. However, the big reward in this area is the vulpinus form of Common Buzzard often called as Steppe Buzzard. We also, picked up a single female Black and Orange Flycatcher along the reserve road. Afternoon session seemed to be totally birdless, we birded the Pothamedu area (Bison Valley Road) all the way towards tall tress inn. Very few birds were noted in this trail. After dinner, we had gripping views of Brown Hawk Owl from our balcony window. When the night grew, the entire family of the Owls put up a great show.

Endemic to Western Ghats

Kerala Laughingthrush at Topstation

Endemic to Western Ghats

White-bellied Blue Robin

Common Rosefinch

Oriental White-eye

Endemic to Western Ghats

Malabar Giant Squirrel

Common Buzzard (B.b.vulpinus)

Southern Hill Myna at Pothamedu

Brown Hawk Owl at Pallivasal Valley view

Jan 25 – Our last day in Munnar, still couple of targets to achieve and we set our path to Eravikulam National Park. Eventhough, we were early and got into the first van that takes tourists to the hilltop, the crowds can be intimidating. We had no luck in finding the Broad-tailed Grassbird anywhere in the area but we highly entertained the tourists. Some of them were genuinely interested and surprised by the Nilgiri Tahr’s. A juvenile Pallid Harrier surprised all of us by zipping past couple of times. Talking of surprises Eravikulam came up with a huge bundle. First was a flyby Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, the size and the color was hard to miss. Being dipping the target birds, we were tired physically and mentally. We rested at the hilltop canteen and while  sipping the hot coffee, a Nilgiri Pipit was walking through the leaf litter right below the canteen dump site. All of the sudden, it became a busy dumpsite. A huge family of Painted Bush Quails joined the fray along with Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue Robin, Indian Blackbird, Common Rosefinches, Kerala Laughingthrushes. We then bid good bye to Munnar and headed to Valparai. Overnight at Valparai.

Endemic to Western Ghats

Nilgiri Flycatcher

Indian Blackbird

Nilgiri Pipit

White-bellied Blue Robin

Painted Bush Quail

Endemic to Western Ghats

Malabar Whistling Thrush

Portrait of Kerala Laughingthrush

Endangered Nilgiri Tahr

Crested Hawk Eagle

Mountain Imperial Pigeon

We got ourselves checked into Saravana Grand hotel, rooms were spacious and comfy. The hotel does some night safaris for their guests. We spoke to the owner and he was thrilled to find wildlife enthusiasts and we were all set with flash lights for a nocturnal birding/mammal watching. Civet Cat and Sambhar Deers were common to see around after dark. We were fascinated by the Mouse Deer and Porcupine eventhough we din’t come across the ultimate mammalian prize of Valparai. Leopards are very common in Valparai and we heard bone chilling stories from the hotel management who accompanied us throughout the night. We came back to the lodge around 3AM with super happy as we witnessed a pair of India Scops Owl doing their nocturnal hunting.

Small Indian Civet

Indian Scops Owl

Jan 26 – Our final day on this leg of the trip. Mothi was kind enough to arrange for a permit to visit Manomboly reserve forest. We had a late start due to the nocturnal birding and by the time we got there, the early morning activity has settled down but we had no trouble picking up the commoners.  The no of Rosy Starlings in the town came as a surprise and did the Osprey at that elevation. We also saw the most notorious Hornbill at the Villoni Estate, the female inside the nest. Also, brief views of Two Hornbills flying over the Villoni estate. We nailed the Western Ghats endemic White-bellied Treepie at the Manombli power house. We tried the Balaji Temple Road for our final attempt at the Legge’s Hawk Eagle and Rufous-bellied Eagle with no luck. 

Very confiding Crested Serpent Eagle

Endemic to Western Ghats

Nilgiri Palm Squirrel

Osprey

Male Malabar Parakeet

Flame-throated Bulbul

Endemic to the Western Ghats

White-bellied Treepie

Great Hornbills over Villoni Estate

Hill Swallow at Balaji Temple Road

Rosy Starling

Woolly-necked Stork

Feb 3 – Next leg of the trip to the Western Ghats. This time its north of the Palghat gap and on the Nilgiris. We used the services of Aggal Sivalingam, who was recommended by Mothi for some of the trickier birds. Nilgiris can be done independently but some of the stakeouts are in some private estates and hence the need for local guide. Started in the afternoon and we tried to combine it with birding and mammal. We trekked through the tea estate on the Halakarai Road of Kotagiri again for the Leopard but the big cat was a no show. Nevertheless,  it was fine evening with two individuals of Sloth Bears, plethora of Indian Gaurs and the most wanted Grey-headed Bulbul to end the day. 

Sloth!

Grey-headed Bulbul

Feb 4 – We started at Sim’s Park in Coonoor. Nilgiri Wood Pigeon’s were an easy find, so is the Black and Orange Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher and the Indian Blue Robin. We hit the Longwood Shola National Park next as the “most wanted” is still eluding the  list. There was an awareness campaign for the school kids at the Park. We joined the session for couple of mins and went our way for the big prize. Black-naped Monarch Flycatcher put up a small cameo before we picked up the western ghats endemic Rufous-bellied Robin in a thick undergrowth. One down, one to go. We once again checked the private estate for a migrant and were duly rewarded by the presence of a female Kashmir Flycatcher. Another brilliant finish for a couple of days in the western ghats.

Endemic to the Western Ghats

Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

Male Black and Orange Flycathcer

Indian Blue Robin

Emerald Dove

Brown-breasted Flycatcher

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher

Indian Gaur in Tea plantation

Blue-capped Rock Thrush

Female Kashmir Flycatcher

Feb 10 – This is merely a casual trip to meet a friend and Yercaud which is called as the Prince of Hills is a nice place to beat the heat of the plains. Notable birds were very close by  flying Black Eagle, Verditer Flycatcher, Plum-headed Parakeet, Emerald Dove.

Feb 12 – This trip was mainly to get my boogie birds down. Have been trying to get them since 2012 without luck and Mothi had some recent info who put me in touch with the local birder from Tiruppur. Met Harii Sudan at Tiruppur and we were off to Coimbatore. We scouted the area close to Sulur Air Station and within few minutes got about 6 Indian Coursers. Phew, the monkey is finally off the back. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouses were plenty and some of them were very close. The most intriguing moment of the day came in the eary afternoon when a male Montagu’s Harrier finished off its brunch right infront of us. We also, stopped by at the Nanjarayan Tank of Tiruppur which is famous for its Bar-headed Goose. We noted 4 Bar-headed Geese along with hundreds of Northern Shovelers. The added bonus for visiting Nanjarayan Tank is my another boogey bird, a Small Pratincole. Now that’s two down in a single day. 

Montagu’s Harrier having brunch

Small Pratincole

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse – Female

Yellow-wattled Lapwing

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse – Male

Northern Shoveler at Nanjarayan Tank

Bar-headed Goose at Nanjarayan Tank

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Indian Courser

Species List :

Common name Scientific name Location Date
Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) – 4 / 173    
Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus Nanjarayan Tank,Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Kundale Lake, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Garganey Anas querquedula Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
       
Pheasants and allies (Phasianidae) – 3 / 182    
Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii Top Station, Theni, Tamil Nadu, India 1/24/17
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Grebes (Podicipedidae) – 1 / 23    
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Storks (Ciconiidae) – 1 / 19    
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae) – 4 / 72    
Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Kundale Lake, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Kundale Lake, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Little Egret Egretta garzetta Sim’s Park, Conoor, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
       
Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) – 1 / 41    
Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae) – 1 / 4    
Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
       
Ospreys (Pandionidae) – 1 / 2    
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Kites, Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae) – 14 / 256    
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata Longwood Shola, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Shikra Accipiter badius Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Black Kite Milvus migrans Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Common Buzzard B.b. vulpinus Pambadam Shola National Park, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
       
Rails, Crakes and Coots (Rallidae) – 1 / 151    
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae) – 1 / 10    
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Plovers (Charadriidae) – 3 / 67    
Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
       
Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) – 8 / 96    
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Marayoor, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
Little Stint Calidris minuta Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Dunlin Calidris alpina Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae) – 2 / 17    
Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Small Pratincole Glareola lactea Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Sandgrouse (Pteroclidae) – 1 / 16    
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae) – 5 / 335    
Rock Dove Columba livia Kiliyur Road to Kiliyur Falls, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India 2/10/17
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon – VU Columba elphinstonii Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Cuckoos (Cuculidae) – 2 / 149    
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Kundale Lake, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
       
Owls (Strigidae) – 3 / 222    
Indian Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl Bubo nipalensis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Brown Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata Heavenly Heights, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
       
Treeswifts (Hemiprocnidae) – 1 / 4    
Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Swifts (Apodidae) – 1 / 106    
Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Trogons (Trogonidae) – 1 / 43    
Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus Pambadam Shola National Park, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
       
Rollers (Coraciidae) – 1 / 12    
Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Kiliyur Road to Kiliyur Falls, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India 2/10/17
       
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) – 3 / 93    
Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Bee-eaters (Meropidae) – 3 / 27    
Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Kiliyur Road to Kiliyur Falls, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India 2/10/17
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Hoopoes (Upupidae) – 1 / 4    
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Pambadam Shola National Park, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
       
Hornbills (Bucerotidae) – 2 / 59    
Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Asian Barbets (Megalaimidae) – 2 / 30    
White-cheeked Barbet Megalaima viridis Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala Marayoor, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
       
Woodpeckers (Picidae) – 4 / 234    
Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus Marayoor, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis Marayoor, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus Halakkarai Road, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu, India 2/3/17
Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus Heavenly Heights, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
       
Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae) – 0 / 67    
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Pambadam Shola National Park, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
       
Parrots (Psittacidae) – 4 / 366    
Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis Heavenly Heights, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Woodshrikes and allies (Tephrodornithidae) – 3 / 8    
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Malabar Woodshrike Tephrodornis sylvicola Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Woodswallows, butcherbirds and allies (Artamidae) – 1 / 24    
Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Ioras (Aegithinidae) – 1 / 4    
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae) – 3 / 92    
Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Shrikes (Laniidae) – 3 / 33    
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Figbirds, Orioles (Oriolidae) – 1 / 38    
Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Drongos (Dicruridae) – 5 / 25    
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Kiliyur Road to Kiliyur Falls, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India 2/10/17
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Fantails (Rhipiduridae) – 1 / 50    
White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola Kotagiri–Franciscan Brothers Road, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
       
Monarchs (Monarchidae) – 2 / 99    
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Longwood Shola, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Crows, Jays (Corvidae) – 3 / 131    
Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
House Crow Corvus splendens Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
 White-bellied Treepie  Dendrocitta leucogastra  Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae) – 1 / 9    
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Tits, Chickadees (Paridae) – 2 / 61    
Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus Marayoor, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Indian Black-lored Tit Machlolophus aplonotus Marayoor, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
       
Larks (Alaudidae) – 2 / 97    
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix griseus Nanjarayan Tank (Koolipalayam Reservoir), Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula Kalangal, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) – 6 / 151    
Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus Halakkarai Road, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu, India 2/3/17
Flame-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus gularis Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Square-tailed Bulbul Hypsipetes ganeesa Top Station, Theni, Tamil Nadu, India 1/24/17
       
Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae) – 4 / 88    
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Hill Swallow Hirundo domicola Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Dusky Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne concolor Halakkarai Road, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu, India 2/3/17
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Leaf Warblers and allies (Phylloscopidae) – 3 / 77    
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Reed Warblers and allies (Acrocephalidae) – 2 / 61    
Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Booted Warbler Iduna caligata Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
       
Cisticolas and allies (Cisticolidae) – 1 / 158    
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Babblers (Timaliidae) – 1 / 55    
Indian Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Fulvettas, Ground Babblers (Pellorneidae) – 1 / 70    
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Laughingthrushes (Leiothrichidae) – 5 / 133    
Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Black-chinned Laughingthrush – EN Trochalopteron cachinnans Longwood Shola, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Kerala Laughingthrush Trochalopteron fairbanki Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
White-eyes (Zosteropidae) – 1 / 128    
Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Fairy-bluebirds (Irenidae) – 1 / 2    
Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Nuthatches (Sittidae) – 1 / 28    
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Marayoor, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/25/17
       
Starlings, Rhabdornis (Sturnidae) – 5 / 123    
Southern Hill Myna Gracula indica Bison Valley Road, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Malabar Starling Sturnia blythii Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Rosy Starling Pastor roseus Valparai Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India 1/26/17
       
Thrushes (Turdidae) – 1 / 166    
Indian Blackbird Turdus simillimus Sim’s Park, Conoor, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
       
Chats, Old World Flycatchers (320) (Muscicapidae) – 16 / 320    
Indian Robin Copsychus fulicatus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda Kunjapanai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus Kunjapanai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Nilgiri Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudatus Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Indian Blue Robin Larvivora brunnea Sim’s Park, Conoor, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Nilgiri Blue Robin Myiomela major Longwood Shola, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
White-bellied Blue Robin Myiomela albiventris Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Bison Valley Road, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
Kashmir Flycatcher – VU Ficedula subrubra Kotagiri–Franciscan Brothers Road, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa Pambadam Shola National Park, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/24/17
Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus Kunjapanai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Leafbirds (Chloropseidae) – 1 / 11    
Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae) – 1 / 48    
Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Kotagiri–Franciscan Brothers Road, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
       
Sunbirds (Nectariniidae) – 2 / 143    
Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae) – 2 / 51    
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Yellow-throated Sparrow Gymnoris xanthocollis Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
       
Waxbills, Munias and allies (Estrildidae) – 2 / 141    
Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica Kakapalayam Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2/9/17
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Kunjapanai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4/17
       
Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae) – 4 / 65    
Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Nanjarayan Tank, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Gundumalai, Munnar, Kerala, India 1/23/17
Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Nanjarayan Tank, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/12/17
Nilgiri Pipit – VU Anthus nilghiriensis Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India 1/25/17
       
Finches (Fringillidae) – 1 / 219    
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Marayoor, Kerala, India 1/23/17
       
Species: 169      

Mammals :

  1. Indian Boar
  2. Indian Gaur
  3. Sloth Bear
  4. Mouse Deer
  5. Indian Muntjac
  6. Dusky Palm Squirrel
  7. Malabar Giant Squirrel
  8. Grizzled Giant Squirrel
  9. Indian Palm Squirrel
  10. Sambhar Deer
  11. Spotted Deer
  12. Indian Crested Porcupine
  13. Small Indian Civet
  14. Ruddy Mongoose
  15. Black-naped Hare
  16. Bonnet Macaque
  17. Nilgiri Langur
  18. Gray Langur
  19. Lion-tailed Macaque

Butterflies :

  1. Southern Bluebottle
  2. Tailed Jay
  3. Common Rose
  4. Crimson Rose
  5. Southern Birdwing
  6. Lime Butterfly
  7. Common Grass Yellow
  8. Mottled Emigrant
  9. Plain Orange Tip
  10. Great Orange Tip
  11. Indian Cabbage White
  12. Common Jezebel
  13. Peablue
  14. Lesser Grass Blue
  15. Red Pierrot
  16. White Hedge Blue
  17. Plain Tiger
  18. Striped Tiger
  19. Common Four Ring
  20. Tawny Coster
  21. Indian Fritillary
  22. Rustic
  23. Sullied Sailor
  24. Blue Pansy
  25. Yellow Pansy
  26. Lemon Pansy

 

Acknowledgment :

  • Mohamed Mothi – A fantastic birder, photographer and a very good friend. His immense knowledge about the sites, birds and mammals helped to achieve most of the target birds. 
  • Udayakumar – Fantastic Spotter, many of the raptors would have gone unnoticed if not for his keen eyes. 
  • Aggal Sivalingam – Professional Bird Guide based in Kotagiri. A very friendly people’s person and highly recommended for toughies.
  • Harii Sudan and Om Prakash from Tiruppur and Erode for the arrangements in Coimbatore and Tiruppur.