INDIA WESTERN GHATS & ANDAMAN ISLANDS
BIRDING TOUR

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Our birding tour to the Western Ghats Mountains of southwest India and the Andaman Islands focuses on the many endemic and near-endemic birds found in these regions. We'll be visiting Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Periyar National Park, Rajamalai Bird Sanctuary within Eravikulam National Park, the Nilgiri Hills outside the town of Ooty, Mudumalai Bird National Park, and South Andaman Island during the tour. This tour is best conducted as described during the dry season from November-February. Because the Rajamalai Bird Sanctuary is closed during March and April, the visit to that sanctuary must occur before March.

The tour begins with arrival at the international airport in Kochi. Following arrival, we transfer to nearby Thattekad, located near Kochi, for most of two days birding the bird rich Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. From there we drive to Periyar for most of two days birding Periyar National Park. We then transfer to Munnar where we'll bird the higher elevation site at Rajamalai Bird Sanctuary for a full day before continuing to Ooty. At Ooty we'll have a full day birding the Nilgiri Hills outside town before proceeding north to the Mudumalai National Park area. We'll spend most of 2 days birding that area before driving north to Bengalore for an afternoon flight to Chennar. Following a night in Chennar, we take an early morning flight to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. We have a full day to bird north of Port Blair at Mount Harriet National Park, another full day to bird farther north at Shoal Bay, in the south birding the forest and beach at Chidiya Tapu, and a final day at Ferrargunj Forest Reserve looking for anything missed on the previous days. The tour ends at Port Blair airport where a flight returns us to Chennia for connections onward home.

Day 1 - Meals: None; Accommodation: Hotel in Kochi; Activity: Arrive in Kochi.
Day 2 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Thattekad; Activity: All day Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.
Day 3 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel near Periyar National Park; Activity: Morning at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Afternoon transfer to Periyar.
Day 4 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel near the park; Activity: All day Periyar National Park.
Day 5 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Munnar; Activity: Morning Periyar National Park. Afternoon transfer to Munnar.
Day 6 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Munnar; Activity: All day Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Eravikulam National Park.
Day 7 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Ooty; Activity: Morning birding outside Munnar. Afternoon transfer to Ooty.
Day 8 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Ooty; Activity: All day Nilgiri Hills near Ooty.
Day 9 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel near the national park; Activity: Morning transfer to Mudumalai. Rest of day birding near Mudumalai National Park.
Day 10 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel near the national park; Activity: All day near Mudumalai National Park.
Day 11 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Chennai; Activity: Early morning near Mudumalai National Park. After breakfast transfer to Bengalore airport for late afternoon flight to Chennai.
Day 12 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel or lodge near Port Blair; Activity: Morning flight to Port Blair on South Andaman Island. Afternoon birding outside town around the Sippighat Wetlands. Evening birding for nightjars and owls at Wandoor.
Day 13 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel or lodge near Port Blair; Activity: Morning Mount Harriet National Park. Afternoon wetlands at Ograbraj.
Day 14 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel or lodge near Port Blair; Activity: All day Shoal Bay. Possible night birding there.
Day 15 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Lodge at Chidiya Tapu Beach; Activity: All day Chidiya Tapu Forest Reserve. Night birding same area.
Day 16 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel or lodge near Port Blair; Activity: All day Ferrargunj Forest Reserve.
Day 17 - Meals: B; Accommodation: None; Activity: Morning flight to Chennai or Delhi. End of tour at airport in Port Blair.

During our Western Ghats and Andaman Islands birding tour, we'll be staying in comfortable hotels and lodges throughout the tour.

PACE - Moderate.

DIFFICULTY - Birding is mostly along flat trails or slightly inlined roads. The highest altitude reached during the tour is about 2650m (8700ft). Most trails in the Andaman Islands are flat and not physically demanding, but seeing some of the more shy endemics and nocturnal birds takes some effort and can be challenging.

CLIMATE - India has 4 main seasons. December-February is cool and mostly dry. March to May is hot and dry. June to September is monsoon season with heavy rains and flooding. Ocotober-November is a transitional period with rain mostly in the south. Higher elevations reached on this tour can be quite cool, especially at night and in early mornings. Seasons in the Andaman Islands is similar to those of India. Temperatures are generally pleasant from October through Febrary, but daytime temperatures and humidity can be quite high during other months.

BIRD ACTIVITY - Peak nesting season is shortly before the monsoons from February through May. Birds are most active during these months. Some migrants that breed farther north such as the Indian Pitta are only present from June-September. Palearctic migrants are present mainly from October through January. Nesting season in the Andaman Islands is from March to August. Bird activity in another months is best during early morning until about 11:00am and in late afternoons. Sea turtles are nesting from December to April.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Photography is opportunistic and can be difficult in forested areas visited on this tour.

Opportunities for photography are excellent, especially during the first half of the tour during safaris in national parks. Getting photos of tigers is very feasible when tigers are congregating around permanent water but is unlikely early in dry season and during wetter months.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL

Arrive at theinternational airport in Kochi in the evening. Night at a hotel in Kochi.

DAY 2 - THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY

The lowland rainforest in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is the richest bird habitat in peninsular India. Most of the endemics of the Western Ghats except those found only at higher altitudes occur in this sanctuary. We have all day to seek them out. Our target species include Malabar Gray Hornbill, Malabar Barbet, Malabar Parakeet, White-bellied Treepie, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Gray-headed Bulbul, Flame-throated Bulbul, White-bellied Sholakili, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Asian Fairy-bluebird, and Black-throated Munia. We hope to find the near-endemic Sri Lanka Frogmouth and perhaps also the rare Sri Lanka Bay-Owl in day roosts. Other nocturnal birds we could find with some night birding are Great Eared-Nightjar, Jungle Nightjar, Jerdon's Nightjar, Indian Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, and Mottled Wood-Owl. Night at a hotel in Thattekad.

DAY 3 - THATEKKAD BIRD SANCTUARY & TRANSFER

Morning birding in the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Mid-day transfer to Periyar, about a 3 hour drive. Periyar is the southernmost extent of our tour and is home to many specialty birds. Afternoon birding the forests and grasslands surrounding the Periyar reservoir. Night at a hotel near Periyar National Park.

DAY 4 - PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK

All day birding the extensive forests in Periyar National Park. We'll concentrate on finding the many endemic and near-endemic species in the park. These include Jerdon's Nightjar, Indian Swiftlet, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Gray Hornbill, Malabar Barbet, Malabar Flameback, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Woodshrike, White-bellied Treepie, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Dark-fronted Babbler, Rufous Babbler, Wayanad Laughingthrush, Malabar Starling, White-bellied Sholakili, Malabar Whistling-Thrush, Loten's Sunbird, and Black-throated Munia. Other birds we hope to see include Red Spurfowl, White-rumped Spinetail, Black Baza, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Great Hornbill, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, Indian Pitta, Indian Golden Oriole, Black-naped Monarch, Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, Gray-breasted Prinia, and Puff-throated Babbler. We should also see mammals such as Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Langur, Wild Boar, Chital, Sambar, and Gaur. Night at a hotel in Periyar.

DAY 5 - PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK & MUNNAR

Morning birding in Periyar National Park. Mid day drive to Munnar, stopping enroute around Bodinayakanur to look for the localized endemic Yellow-throated Bulbul. Munnar is a picturesque town dominated by tea plantations but still has some patches of native woodland and gullies. We should have time for birding around town after arrival. Night at a hotel in Munnar.

DAY 6 - RAJAMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

We'll be birding this day around Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, part of Eravikulam National Park. This scenic, higher altitude site is closed during February and March, which affects when we can offer this itinerary. There, we will seek out Painted Bush-Quail, Alpine Swift, Blyth's Swift, Hill Swallow, and Malabar Whistling-Thrush. In addition, the grasslands and stunted temperate forest, called shola, of the upland plateaus are home to Broad-tailed Grassbird, Palani Laughingthrush, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, and Nilgiri Pipit. Other birds we could find Alpine Swift, Black Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Hill Swallow, Western Crowned Warbler, and Blue Rock-Thrush. We could also encounter the endemic Nilgiri Marten, and it's one of the only places where the rare Nilgiri Tahr can be seen. Night at a hotel in Munnar.

DAY 7 - OOTY

This day we have a long 6½ drive north beyond the textile city of Coimbatore to Ooty. We should have some time for birding outside Ooty in the Nilgiri Hills after arrival. Night at a hotel in Ooty.

DAY 8 - NILGIRI HILLS

The area around Ooty in the Nilgiri Hills is among the highest points in the Western Ghats. The area is heavily agricultural with only remnant patches of shola remaining. This habitat is home to several important endemics, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Sholakili, and Nilgiri Flycatcher. Other enticing birds in the area include Gray Junglefowl, Painted Bush-Quail, Spot-breasted Fantail, Southern Hill Myna, Indian Blackbird, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, and Blue-capped Rock-Thrush. We may also encounter the striking Nilgiri Langur. Night at a hotel in Ooty.

DAY 9 - TRANSFER & MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK AREA

Morning depart for Mudumalai National Park, about a 2 hour drive. Rest of day birding near the national park. Many great birds are possible in this area as described below. Night at a hotel near the national park.

DAY 10 - MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK AREA

All day birding near Mudumalai National Park. Much of the park lies in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats Mountains, so the habitat is dry deciduous forest and thorn scrub. Like other tiger reserves, the park has restricted access, so we'll be birding nearby areas outside the park much of the time. Key endemics we're seeking in the area are Malabar Woodshrike, Malabar Lark, Gray-headed Bulbul, Nilgiri Thrush, and Nilgiri Flowerpecker. This area offers our best chance of seeing Indian Pitta. Nearly a dozen species of woodpeckers have been recorded in the area including Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, and White-naped Woodpecker. Other birds we may encounter include Red Spurfowl, Painted Spurfowl, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Crested Treeswift, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, White-cheeked Barbet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, White-browed Fantail, White-bellied Drongo, Bay-backed Shrike, White-browed Bulbul, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Indian Nuthatch, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Whistling-Thrush, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Purple Sunbird, and Jerdon's Leafbird. Night at a hotel near the national park.

DAY 11 - MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK & TRANSFER

Early morning birding near our lodge. After breakfast transfer to the Bengalore airport for a late afternoon flight to Chennai. The drive takes 5-6 hours. We'll arrive in Chennai in time for dinner. Night at a hotel in Chennai.

DAY 12 - PORT BLAIR

Morning flight from Chennai to Port Blair, arriving mid morning. After arrival birding Sippighat Wetlands on the outskirts of Port Blair. There we can expect birds such as Andaman Teal, Watercock, Gray-headed Lapwing, Pin-tailed Snipe, Black-naped Tern, Cinnamon Bittern, Chinese Egret, Chinese Pond-Heron, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Oriental Reed Warbler, and Red-throated Pipit. We can also hope to see Slaty-breasted Rail, Andaman Crake, Ruddy-breasted Crake, and Baillon's Crake. In the evening we'll drive 30 minutes across the island to Wandoor to look for endemic nocturnal birds such as Andaman Nightjar, Andaman Scops-Owl, Walden's subspecies of Oriental Scops-Owl, Andaman Boobook, and Hume's Boobook. Night at a hotel or lodge near Port Blair.

DAY 13 - MOUNT HARRIET NATIONAL PARK

Depart early for Mount Harriet National Park, located north of Port Blair across the bay. Birding is up the forest road to the summit and along a short forest trail at the summit. This site gives us our first chance at endemics such as the elusive Andaman Wood-Pigeon, generally considered the most difficult of the Andaman endemics to see, the shy Andaman Crake, and others such as Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Green-Pigeon, Andaman Coucal, Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Cuckooshrike, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Bulbul, and Andaman Flowerpecker. Other birds possible there include Violet Cuckoo, Long-tailed Parakeet, Orange Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-naped Monarch, White-headed Starling, and Orange-headed Thrush. Afternoon visit Ograbraj Wetlands for another chance at the endemic Andaman Teal if missed the previous day. Other wetland birds are also present including wintering shorebirds, Lesser Whistling-Duck, Cinnamon Bittern, Yellow Bittern, Chinese Pond-Heron, and Stork-billed Kingfisher. Night at a hotel or lodge near Port Blair.

DAY 14 - SHOAL BAY

All day birding tropical forest and mangroves at Shoal Bay, a short ferry ride and an hour's drive north of Port Blair. The site is a second chance at endemics not yet seen. Nearly all of them occur around there. In addition to endemics, possibilities include Green Imperial-Pigeon, Indian Cuckoo, Black Baza, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Mangrove Whistler, Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher, Orange-headed Thrush, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Asian Fairy-bluebird, and Forest Wagtail. Night at a hotel or lodge near Port Blair.

DAY 15 - CHIDIYA TAPU FOREST RESERVE

We'll depart early for Chidiya Tapu Forest Reserve, located 45min. south of Port Blair, stopping for some birding enroute. The habitat is secondary deciduous forest and is home to many Andaman endemics and other Asian birds. It's dense forest so it's commonly said that the birds find you rather than the other way around in this forest. We'll do some roadside birding in early morning followed by birding trails in the Biological Park. We'll be hoping to encounter endemics such as Andaman Wood-Pigeon, Andaman Green-Pigeon, Andaman Coucal, Andaman Crake, Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Shama, and Andaman Flowerpecker. Lots of other good birds are also possible, including Crested Serpent-Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Blue-eared Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Alexandrine Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Long-tailed Parakeet, Small Minivet, Black-naped Oriole, White-breasted Woodswallow, Hume's White-eye, White-headed Starling, and Orange-headed Thrush. Afternoon birding at Badubalu Beach and nearby wetlands. We'll return if necessary to Badubalu Beach in early evening to look for any nocturnal birds missed at Wandoor. Night at a lodge in Chidiya Tapu Beach.

DAY 16 - FERRARGUNJ FOREST RESERVE

The forest in Ferrargunj Forest Reserve is similar to the forest at Shoal Bay so this is a cleanup day to look for any endemics not yet seen on the tour. A couple are quite difficult and may need special effort to see. This is especially true of Andaman Wood-Pigeon and Andaman Crake. We're likely to also see other Asian species missed on preceding days. For those interested in photography, time can be spent getting photos of birds not previously photographed. Night at a hotel or lodge near Port Blair.

DAY 17 - END OF TOUR, FLIGHT TO CHENNAI

Possible birding near Port Blair depending on flight times. Tour ends at the airport in Port Blair. Flight to Chennai and then onwards to final destination.

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