MOST POPULAR BIRDING LOCATIONS IN NILGIRIS

/ BIRDING IN KOTAGIRI, BIRDING IN NILGIRIS, BIRDING IN SIMS PARK, BIRDS OF NILGIRIS, POPULAR BIRDING LOCATIONS IN NILGIRIS / By
Black and Orange Fly Catcher's beautiful image, shot from Sims Park, Coonoor., Nilgiris.

NILGIRIS   THE MOST POPULAR BIRDING LOCATION.

Western Ghat range of Nilgiris, as a whole  is considered to be the best place for Birding and Bird Photography. Yet, we give  a detailed account of the   most popular birding locations in Nilgiris, here, in this blog.

‘ Nilgiris ’  range is known for its rich, abundant and greeny flora and expansive as well as diverse fauna. This wonderful area also offers picturesque & breathtaking scenic spots  and rich bio diversity together.

These area also offers   unending possibilities of sighting  endemic birds both native and migrated, endangered species as well as native mammals,  we may come across along our birding tour within the Nilgiris range.

So, its only worthwhile to mention that of all the places in Southern India, Nilgiris occupies the primary spot as the most popular birding locations for Bird watching and Bird Photography.

A collage of few birds photographed at Nilgiris. (viz, Asian fairy blue bird, Oriental white eye, Malabar Parakeet, Nilgiri Flycatcher (f), Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, White Bellied Blue Flycatcher, Flame throated Tickell's Blue Flycatcher.
A collage of few birds photographed at different locations of Nilgiris. (viz, Asian Fairy Blue Bird, Oriental White Eye, Malabar Parakeet, Nilgiri Flycatcher (f), Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, White Bellied Blue Fly catcher, Flame Throated Bulbul, Tickells Blue Flycatcher. ( Photographer ‘ narain ‘ )

THE MOST POPULAR LOCATIONS FOR BIRDING IN NILGIRIS

Based on our experience as birders and bird photographers, the following locations are considered as the most popular for Birding in Nilgiris.

Viz., Kotagiri, Coonoor and Ooty, the three Hill Stations of Nilgiris.

More specifically Kallar, Maamaram, Kunjappanai, Mullur, Sethupettai, Longerwood shola and Catherine Falls areas along the Mettuppalayam – Kotagiri  Road ;   Orasolai, kattabettu, Bettati, Nadduhatti, Ellithorai and Sims Park areas  along the Kotagiri – Coonoor Road ; Bandi shola,  Billikombai, Kenathorai, Attabettu and Dhottabetta along the Kotagiri – Coonoor – Dhottabetta Road and Aracode, Kokode in Kil Kotagiri are the specific areas for  birding, worthwhile to mention.

Pictures of Brown Fish Owl, Crested Goshawk, Tree Swift and Brown wood Owl shot near Kotagiri, Nilgiris.
Images of Brown Fish Owl, Crested Goshawk, Tree Swift and Brown Wood Owl captured near Kotagiri, Nilgiris. ( Pic Credit Mr. Sait , Mr. Dinesh Kumar and Mr. Raviraj )

Though the  Botanical Garden in Ooty and Sims Park in Coonoor are the two hotspots for bird photographers, considering the crowd and the disturbances we may experience from the non-birder-tourists,   Sims Park offers excellent opportunities  for a calm and satisfied Birding and Bird Photography experience, than the former.

Images of Banded Bay Cuckoo, Emerald Dove, Dark-fronted Babbler, Sq Tailed Bulbul, Indian Yellow Tit, Indian Scimitar Babbler and Velvet fronted Nuthatch, photographed at various locations in and around Conoor and Kotagiri.
Images of Banded Bay Cuckoo, Emerald Dove, Dark-fronted Babbler, Sq Tailed Bulbul, Indian Yellow Tit, Indian Scimitar Babbler and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, photographed at various locations in and around Conoor and Kotagiri. ( Photographed by ‘ narain ‘ )

Sims Park collects an entry fee of Rs.30/ and they also collect a fee for cameras ( Presently Rs. 30/ for still and 150/ for video cameras ). The parks opens at 9 AM and closes at 6 PM. With a special permission from the Sims Park Admin, it is possible to venture into the park much early, specially for Birding and Bird Photography

Images of Yellow Browed Bulbul, Cinereous Tit, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Nilgiri Sholai Kili, Nilgiri Flycatcher and Crested Serpant Eagle shot at different locations in Nilgiris.
Images of Yellow Browed Bulbul, Cinereous Tit, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Nilgiri Sholai Kili, Nilgiri Flycatcher and Crested Serpant Eagle photographed at different locations in Nilgiris. ( Photos by ‘ narain ‘ )

PROMISING BIRDS LIST OF NILGIRIS

These most popular birding locations in Nilgiris give us excellent possibilities to sight  the following birds.

Here comes the comprehensive list.

Nilgiri Flycatcher, Black and orange Flycatcher, While Bellied Blue Flycatcher, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Bar winged Flycatcher, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Laughing Thrush,  Malabar Whistling Thrush,  Blue Capped  Rock Thrush, Asian Fairy Blue Bird, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Nilgiri Sholai Kili , Indian Blue Robin, Scaly Breasted Munia, Red Avadavat, Cinereous Tit, Himalayan Black Lored Tit, Indian Yellow Tit, Golden fronted Leaf Bird, Black Bird, Oriental White Eye, Dark-fronted Babblers, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Puff throated Babbler, Malabar parakeets, Vernal Hanging parakeets , Malabar Trogons, Indian great hornbill, Yellow Browed Bulbul, Flame Throated Bulbul, Jungle Myna, Lesser Hill Myna, Tree Swift, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Emeral Dove, Painted Bush Quail, Minivets, Copper smith Barbets, Malabar Barbets, Velvet-fronted Nuthach,  Brown Fish Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Crested Hawk Eagle, Goshawk, & many more.

Painted Bush Quails… (a male and female birds)
Images of Red Avadavat, Nilgiri Thrush, Kashmiri Flycatcher and Blue Capped rock Thrush photographed at various locations in and around Kotagiri, Nilgiris.
Images of Red Avadavat, Nilgiri Thrush, Kashmiri Flycatcher and Blue Capped rock Thrush photographed at various locations in and around Kotagiri, Nilgiris.
(Kashmiri Fly catcher – pic. credit Mr. Dinesh Kumar)

While doing a birding tour, nothing prohibits us to take a good shot of the mammals and other species that come across.

The list may include:

Malabar Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr, Indian Elephants, Indian Gaur, Leopard, Wild Boar, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri langur , Slender Loris and Martens etc.,

Pictures of Malabar Giant Squirrel and Lion-tailed Macaque photographed near Kotagiri, Nilgiris.
Pictures of Malabar Giant Squirrel and Lion-tailed Macaque photographed near Kotagiri, Nilgiris.
( Photos by ‘narain’ )
BEST SEASON TO VISIT:

Entire Nilgiris offers wonderful opportunities for travel and  touring through out the year. However, if we avoid the rainy months of June to August and November, remaining period in a year, gives us an amazing birding experience. This is the period we can explore the areas to locate the winter visitors too. As we always suggest, please have a detailed ‘weather-report-search’ well in advance and have thorough planning, before you venture, as the Hill areas always throw an un predictable weather condition.

HOW TO REACH.

The so called popular birding locations in Nilgiris , mentioned above are situated in the  three hill stations namely Kotagiri, Coonoor and Ooty (or Udhagamandalam ) . Here, for the travellers coming from Karnataka and Kerala, Ooty is approachable through their respective Border areas from the North West of Nilgiris and  from there to reach Coonoor and Kotagiri.

For the tourists coming from Coimbatore, they have to reach Mettuppalayam,  the first town in the foothill, from where they can approach Kotagiri, Coonoor and Ooty.

Coimbatore is the nearest Airport, situated at around 40 kms,  in one hour drive to Mettuppalayam.

Coonoor and Kotagiri lies within 35 KMs  ( appx., one  hour drive )  from Mettuplayam while Ooty lies within 25 Kms from Coonoor and Kotagiri through 2 different routes.

Engaging a well known and well informed guide will provide us a satisfying Birding and Bird photography experience. Since most of the hamlets ( ‘ Hattys ‘ in local language ) lies along the side of the main roads, we have to necessarily undertake a road trip through all the above mentioned hamlets and towns.

WHERE TO STAY?

These days quite a number of resorts, home stays and hotels with restaurants are available. It would be advisable to go through the Hotels’ review and have your  own choice.  if you are taking a drive from   Mettuppalayam. ( Coimbatore Dist T N ), we suggest to  choose a better accommodation in and around Kotagiri, as it is the centrally located place from where you can   go around.  For birders coming from Kerala and Karnataka through North West route, the best choice would be to find a good accommodation between Coonoor and Ooty., to have a better coverage and comfort stay.

WHOM TO CONTACT.

Though you can do a  search for  local guides / birders to help you around, Mr Jana is one of the well informed Birders / Birding guides, well known among the birding communities, whom you can contact directly to avail his service.

We give below his  contact details  for your ready reference and use.

Mr. JANARTHANAN  ( JANA )  9894768839

WHAT IS IN YOUR BAG:

This is an important area. Make out a list of essential items ( other  than the Camera, lenses, tripod and Bino )  like medicines, appropriate dress , sweat shirts & woolen garments to bear the chill and what not !

A long zoom lens for the Bird Photography and a wide angle for the Landscape would be the ideal choice.

Once again  a cautionary note:  Do not carry any plastic item in your bag. Your bags will be subjected to search at the Local check posts in  the Nilgiris.

To CONCLUDE:

Before ending, we wish you an amazing Birding and Bird Photography experience,  in the Most Popular Birding Locations of Nilgiris.

Please share this Blog’s link to your friends and remember to offer your valuable comments too.

Have a satisfied Birding  Trip.