Canopy at Ooty – much has been destroyed, little left
One of the most popular hill stations in India, Ooty, was the destination for photographing some endemic species of birds of western ghats. Though I couldn’t manage to capture a good image of my target species, I was able to watch a variety of species on a two day trip.
After answering calls and messages wishing on my birthday, I left home to pick Selva, Sudhir and Arun. We left Bangalore by 11am struggling past horrendous traffic on Mysore road. The initial plan was to squeeze an evening safari at Bandipur in search of Gowri and her cubs. But on seeing the mammoth crowd at Bandipur resorts, we gave up on safari. The crowd on a Saturday evening at a national park is no less than that at any popular mall in Bangalore. It really made me wonder how have those magnificent ‘animals’ survived in India all these years given the number of people we have!
We drove slowing keeping an eye for any bird, mammal or reptile. We saw Malabar giant squirrel, and lot of Peafowls. I stopped the car on hearing an unusual call. On looking out, we saw a of White Bellied Woodpecker. Spend a considerable time photographing this bird from car, without wanting to disturb the bird which seemed like making a nest. Many passersby stopped to inquire about what we were go-hung about.
White-bellied Woodpecker at Bandipur – Madumalai
We also caught up with this beautiful peacock on the edge of the road. Thankfully it was undisturbed by too many tourists thronging on the highway, and we captured few frames.
Soon, stopped over at Masinagudi for checking a spot known to sight leopards, but not much luck. It was getting dark, and we left towards Ooty on the arduous Kalhatty ghats with 36-hairpin bends. Reached Ooty by 8pm, and started looking for accommodation around Charring Cross. After looking a couple, checked into Youth Hostel. It was good to meet Neelima and a group of cyclists who had pedalled up the hills along the 36haripin bends. I really admire their mammoth effort!
Next day morning, first stop at Gorishola yielded many birds – Grey Junglefowl, Eurassian Blackbird, Tickell’s leaf Warbler, and Oriental White eye. Though we were able to see many birds at Gorishola, it was difficult to capture a decent frame as you’d expect anywhere in western ghats. We left to Doddabetta, another location that was known for easy photo opportunities of Blackbirds and Nilgiri Laughingthrushes.
Instead of sighting the sure-shot NLTs and Blackbirds at Doddabetta, we hit a jackpot. A huge flock of Nilgiri Wood Pigeons – a western ghats endemic that had eluded me in many visits to Nandi Hills. The size of this Pigeon is monstrous, and I was fortunate to capture one decent image before it flew away.
We roamed up and down, and around the Doddabetta tourist spot looking for birds of feathered kind. Mahesh and gang, who had arrived little earlier had got a prized catch of Black and Orange Flycatcher. But we weren’t lucky. As the crowd picked up, we left the spot.
After a quick breakfast at Charring cross, we tried to reach the Wood house area from the Botanical Garden side. The road was very narrow and almost non-existent. It was very hard to maneuver a big car around hairpin bends. After a few bends and turns, reached a spot on a narrow road where an auto had broken down and there wasn’t enough space to squeeze the car through. I had to get down the road in reverse till a found a spot to take a turn! It was quite a driving experience.
After contemplating where to go, we hit the Crainhill forest reserve. It’s an incredibly beautiful place. I just loved the tall tress and the location. We were able to spot the Black and Orange Flycatcher there, but just a glimpse. After spending sometime there, we drove towards Muthorai and Potato research station – sighted an Oriental Honey Buzzard and few common birds.
Later in the evening, we took the Doddabetta route to reach Wood house area. This place is secluded and you’ll not find anyone. It’s almost untouched. Though the activity wasn’t as much as we wished, but it seemed very promising. We were able to sight many Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers, few blackbirds, Minivets and NLTs.
Returning from Wood house, I stopped near Sinclari’s to check out a bird that seemed a Craig Martin. But found a few house sparrows coming to roost on top of a house. I sneaked close and got one image I was happy of after spending one and half day at Ooty.
House Sparrow – male in breeding plumage
House sparrow – A bird that once used to nest in my house, and now I had to drive over 300km to get one good photograph of. Nevertheless, I was happy to see them go unperturbed about their activities there.
Next day morning, we wanted to hit Doddabetta very early as Shreeram told there is no way we can miss getting good images of Nilgiri Laughing thrushes there. Ooty at 5:30am is very cold, even in summer. We reached Doddabetta with few minutes to 6am, and learnt from a couple of cops that the gates won’t open before 8am. Damn it!
I raced to reach Crainhills by 6:20am. There wasn’t much light and the bird activity was just starting to pick up. Grey-headed canary flycathers, Blackbirds, NLTs, White eyes, and Warblers – nothing that we hadn’t seen earlier. Then, a female Nilgiri Flycatcher made an appearance and sat at a distance for quite some time.
Got back to Doddabetta at 7:50am. A couple of cars were waiting and the gates weren’t open yet. Soon, guards arrived and let us in. I zipped through the curves so that we reach first – before Pigeons get disturbed. We sighted a Black-naped Hare on the way. We did see a few Nilgiri Wood Pigeons. Then, went in search of flycatchers, without much luck. There was one NLT that hopped on to the path and was foraging for leftovers.
There were plenty of Grey Tits, and many a times were so close that it was within minimum focus distance of 1.8meters! Slightly away from the crowd, sighted a bird that was frequenting a spot. I decided to hide near a fence and wait for the bird. It was close to 9am and we had to leave to Kabini. But patience of waiting there for half an hour yielded good dividends. I was able to capture this pretty bird with a prey (of some larve?).
Just as I packed up after this shot, got a call from Shreeram. Hurriedly had breakfast and left towards Charring Cross, from there to the bus stand to pick Shreeram and towards the land of Leopards and Elephants, Kabini.
Getting down the Ooty hills from Kalhatty Ghats got a close view of Black Eagle, and this Chestnut headed bee eater.
Despite the weekend-crowd, big hue and cry about Ooty getting very commercialize, I totally loved the place once again. The good thing about being commercialized is I get to have a Dominoes Pizza in Western ghats. :)
Yet, there are so many off beaten places yet to be explored. Though 2 days seemed enough initially, Ooty has lot more places to explore and worth spending time. It’s awesome to trek for hours at Crain hill forest reserve or explore the valley around Wood house. To quote Prem about Wood house area ‘ Come back feeling like a kid who has just been given an icecream.’ Maybe I’ll get to go sometime soon.
Thanks to Prem for his incredible compilation of birding spots at Ooty. Without his efforts, access to some lesser known spots wouldn’t be possible.
That’s all folks! Watch out for big mammals from the backwaters of Kabini.
Superb Sandeep. It seems an awesome trip. I like the house sparrow and the bee eater pics a lot. :) Njoy bro..
Lovely..reminds me to document my own experience though I wasnt so lucky
wonderful photos of birds.
As usual wonderful images! Looks like it was a satisfying birding trip! :)
The Grey Tit shot looks awesome dude…
Awesome post dude! Never been able to spot the Nilgiri wood pigeon… awesome to see a pic here.
You seem to have had a fabulous trip in only 1.5 days!!!
Dear prem how are you i like to introduce myself to you my name is Rajesh and i have a beautiful cottage at ooty on rent kindly let me know if you are going there and i could give u a good rate, its a 2 bedroom villa with hall and kitchen right above the ooty hills, kindly let ur friends know abt if and it would be helpful for me
thanks u can send me mail at prathirajesh2003@yahoo.co.in
The chestnut-headed bee-eater had a painting feel. That’s my fav one!
Nice writeup & Lovely photographs… NLT is superb.. :)
[…] post was written by Sandeep and originally appeared here. It has been republished with permission on Britannica Blog through our partnership with BlogAdda, […]
Wow! very lovely photographic……….
[…] of birds, c.r.Jayaprakash has a whole gallery of images and a photo-essay on a drive through the top of the Nilgiris by […]
Beautiful pictures. I like specially de Wood pigeon and the eurassian blackbird. This last one might not have the greatest bokeh of all your picture, but it gives me a sense of “search and hunt” that I like in wildlife pics. I can see more of the search process and I like that.
sandeep awesome photos man. keep it up
am inspired
Im obliged for the post.Really looking forward to read more.
hi ammu…..
Ooty is among the most prominent tourist locations in India. It is the most favoured Summer retreat in India as well. It is accessible from road, rail and by air. We welcome you to Ooty
i am thankful for these beautiful pictures. Its great!
Rajkumar Hai nice pictures.
[…] View the Original article […]
[…] View the Original article […]
One of the best place to spend your holiday. Get the amazing mountain views during this monsoon you can book the cottages in Ooty online with Panoramic Group budget hotel United-21 Paradise.
Bird watching enthusiasts, twitchers & nature lovers shoulden’t miss stopping by at http://www.wildwalkers.in to witness the sheer variety of bird life of Nilgiris.