India 2014 - Kerala and Karnataka
Birds and Wildlife viewing in Kerala and Karnataka
4 December to 17 December
Photos by Kelly Sekhon
In Jaipur we said goodbye to three of the group and were joined four new participants on our flight from Delhi to Kochi on the SW coast of India. It was a long day of travel and we arrived at our hotel late in the evening. We spent the early part of the next morning visiting the historical highlights of the city and then traveled to Thatekkad, arriving there in time for lunch.
Chinese fishing nets in Kochi
At lunch met our local guide Sudeesh who would accompany us for the rest of the tour. Rest of the afternoon and all of next day was spent birding in the area around the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Sudeesh was able to find some hard to see birds like Sri Lanka Frogmouth.
Birding in Thatekkad
Sri Lanka Frogmouth
One of several species of spiders
The group with Sudeesh and our bus driver.
From Thatekadd we traveled further inland to Munnar, a very pleasant town at about 1600m, surrounded by tea plantations. The birding around our hotel was excellent and we were able to see many of the endemic birds of Kerala.
Hotel Olive Brook, Munnar
While in Munnar, we visited Eravikulam National Park, established to protect Nilgiri Tahr. Here we saw another endemic, Indian Balckbird.
Eravikulam National Park
Nilgiri Tahr
Indian Blackbird
From Munnar we traveled to Periyar Tiger Reserve and then back to the coast for two nights on the Kerala Backwaters near Allaphuza.
It was another long day of travel from Allaphuza to Mysore via Bangalore. Next day we travelled by bus to Nagaehole National Park. Here we saw Gaur, wild elephants and on our final safari into the park a quick glimpse of a Bengal tiger.
Malabar Gray Hornbill in Periyar
Kerala Backwaters
One of many Houseboats on Kerala Backwaters
Common Kingfisher
Wildlife safari in Nagarhole National Park
Male Asiatic Elephant
Malabar Giant Squirrel
The group after the safari with our guide and driver