Southern India - Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats 2013

Departing Bangalore, our first scheduled stop is the town of Kokkare Bellur where Spot-billed Pelican and occasionally Painted Stork nest in the village trees. We also explore the surrounding ares for Jerdon’s Leafbird, Blue-faced Malkoha, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Purple-rumped Sunbird and Red-naped Ibis.

We then visit the beautiful Mysore palace before beginning our journey towards the Mudamalai hills, one of the largest areas of protected forests in India. The nearby secondary scrub here supports Yellow-wattled Lapwing, the scarce White-naped Woodpecker, endemic Malabar Lark and perhaps Red-headed and Indian Vultures soaring above in the thermals.

Our accommodation in the area is located at the foot of the Nilgiri Mountains where a variety of habitats will be explored. Several endemics and localized specialties occur here, including Grey-headed Bulbul, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Grey Junglefowl, Blue-winged and Plum-headed Parakeets, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Thick-billed and Pale-billed Flowerpeckers, the white-throated race of Orange-headed Thrush, and White-bellied Minivet. More widespread birds include Lesser Goldenback, Indian Blue Robin, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Indian Nuthatch, Jungle and Spotted Owlets, Bay-backed Shrike, Crested Treeswift and Golden-fronted Leafbird. This area is also a reliable sight for Indian Elephant, while additional possible mammals include Sloth Bear, Leopard and even Bengal Tiger, though we will need a hefty dose of luck to spot any of these beasts! A night birding excursion will see us searching for the endemic Jerdon’s and Savanna Nightjars.

We then transfer towards the Blue Mountains near Udhagamandalam, among the highest mountains in southern India. Here we look for geographically restricted endemic species such as Spot-breasted Fantail, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue Robin and the gorgeous White-bellied Treepie. Other possibilities include Vernal Hanging Parrot, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Little Spiderhunter, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Indian Black-lored Tit, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Blackbird and Puff-throated Babbler.

Continuing towards Thattekkad, we spend an entire day exploring the rich forested areas of Top Slip in the foothills of the Western Ghats for specialties such as Malabar Grey Hornbill, Red Spurfowl, Malabar Trogon, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher and Crimson-backed Sunbird, while at night we look for Sri Lanka Frogmouth and, with luck, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl. Other possibilities include Crested Serpent Eagle, Great Hornbill, Malabar Barbet, Lesser Yellownape, Black-naped Monarch, Dark-fronted Babbler, Flame-throated Bulbul, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Southern Hill Myna and Black-hooded Oriole. 

Next we explore the Eravikulam National Park in the high Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats. This reserve, originally established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, supports a good selection of birds as well as several localized species. These include Painted Bush Quail, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Nilgiri Pipit, Broad-tailed Grassbird, Kerala Laughingthrush, Hill Swallow, Dusky Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush and Loten’s Sunbird. 

In fabulous Periyar we have a chance for the beautiful Indian Pitta, while other specials include Wynaad Laughingthrush, White-rumped Spinetail, Brown-backed Needletail, Crested Honey Buzzard, Black Eagle, Black Baza, Grey-fronted Green and Mountain Imperial Pigeons, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Thick-billed Warbler, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta and spectacular Asian Fairy-bluebird. On the mammal front, a boat trip on Lake Periyar may yield Asian Elephant, Gaur, Wild Boar and Sambar Deer, while possible birds include Western Osprey, Grey-headed Fish-Eagle and Ashy Woodswallow. 

Join us for an exciting birding and wildlife exploration to the southern part of this immense and extremely rewarding nation!

Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.

This tour falls within our 7 Continents Promotion, which means that if you register for the promotion you will qualify for a discount off the price of this tour! For further details on this fantastic offer, click on this link.