A new year at Doddamakali

We wanted to do something special for this new year, so we decided to spent the last days of the year in the midst of the birds and trees .. and planned a trip to Doddamakali ..
As we reached there, we were enjoying the beauty of nature ..the Cavery as clam as ever.. flowing through the rocks ,generating music ..trees standing tall, welcoming the breeze .. it was very beautiful and peaceful ..
Suddenly I heard a loud noise .. lots and lots of rose ring parakeets stretching their vocal cords to the maximum , I took out my binoculars and started watching.. soon brown headed barbet and many golden fronted leaf birds , and other parakeets joined in the screaming .. I was wondering why they are giving such a big alarm calls..then suddenly I saw a big Shikra sitting on the same tree as I was observing it I saw a movement just behind the big bird ..on looking carefully there were two Indian grey hornbills also sitting on the same tree..eagerly waiting for more actions to come .. but nothing happened .. after sometime the Shikra, who was not bothered by parakeets screaming flew away and few minutes after that even the pair of Hornbills flew and the parakeets slowly stopped shouting ,restoring the tranquility of the place..
I could not figure out that the alarm calls of parakeets was for hornbill or for Shikra.. but it was fun to be a part of it.
Then next two days we spent in nature trek , saw lots of birds specially the nightjar..and also got a chance to jelly fish.. it was wonderful beginning to the new year .

Cheers
Shivani

A Trip To Wayanad

A Trip To Wayanad


For a nature lover there is always a pleasure going into the greens –especially after rains. The greens are so fresh and bright, the songs of birds and trees accompanying with chill breeze gives immense pleasure and happiness.

Itching to go out of Bangalore on a very short notice , we decided to go to waynaud. Although we have been there couple of times but still the place holds lot of surprises.
This time we have decided to stay at “vismaya giri”, it’s a two room bungalow at top of the hill offering 360 degree view. One of the most beautifully located places I visited in recent past.

Starting early from Bangalore, after having our delicious breakfast of idlis and dosas at Kamath we reached the Waynaud around 12 o’clock, the smell of fresh spices and lovely greens welcomed us.

As we reached Vismaya giri the place offered breathtaking view ,as far as your eyesight goes you an see ranges and ranges of hills. One side of cottage has westernghats to very close proximity and rest all sides hill ranges. Seeing this we have decided to stay there and explore the place.
After having nice Kerala style lunch, the owner took us through his coffee and other plantations.

The place offered excellent opportunity for birding. This is where first time I saw Malabar grey hornbill and was thrilled to see that, then lots of other birds like Greater racket-tailed drongos, red whiskered bulbuls etc.

The birds I could identify in and around Waynaud are :
1. Green bee-eaters
2. Indian rollers
3. Malabar grey hornbill
4. Greater racket-tailed drongos
5. Red whiskered bulbuls
6. Pond heron
7. Cattle egrets
8. Little egrets
9. Jungle mynas
10. Common mynas
11. White throated KF
12. Stork billed KF
13. Black kites
14. Jungle crow
15. Purple sunbirds
16. little cormorants
17. Black headed oriole
18. White browed wagtail
19. Pied bushchats
20. Doves collered and spotted
21. Black drongo
22. Sparrows
23. Red rumped Swallows
24. Asian koel
25. Great egret (not sure)
26. Red vented bulbuls
27. Yellow bulbul
28. Scarlet menivet
29. Parakeets
30. Oriental turtle dove


Because of my inexperience there were lots of birds which I couldn’t identify, but still it was a satisfying trip and a nice short break from routine.

Shivani