Yelagiri: Rising with the Birds

The lack of excessive human activity, a healthy although depleting forest cover and the pleasant climate of Yelagiri, has made it home to several small birds. While it doesn't take much effort to spot avian beauties here, a dedicated birding walk with a pair of binoculars,  is more fruitful.

Some of the good spots for bird watching in Yelagiri include Nature Park, Punganoor Lake, Yelagiri Forest, Nilavoor Lake and YMCA in Mangalam.

Birds are early risers, so morning is the best time to spot the otherwise difficult species like the Pale Billed Flower Pecker, Rufous Treepie, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Black-Rumped Flameback and the Yellow-Crowned Woodpecker.

The more common birds in the area are the Yellow Billed Babbler, Laughing Dove, Black Drongo, Oriental Magpie Robin, Indian Robin, Brahminy Starling, White Throated Kingfisher and Common Tailor Birds.

While keen bird watchers may be able to trace the birds by their call, the forest foliage might pose as an obstacle for a novice. Nonetheless, the walk itself is a rewarding experience – one that should definitely feature on a visitor's list of things to do.