White-throated Kingfisher

Despite severe urbanisation, Chennai continues to be abode for bird watching. Guindy National Park, Nanmangalam forest and Pallikaranai marsh are some of eco-rich spots. The Guindy Children’s Park houses a variety of birds in captivity.  The densely populated and highly-urbanised Chennai is a veritable habitat for bird watching and is not just a concrete jungle. It is a bird-watcher’s paradise.

Indian Robin

The city of piping hot idlis and rich aroma of filter coffee is also home to about 200 avian species. However, it is still a long way to go beforeChennai can be popularised as hotspot for birding. But if one is alert, one can spot house sparrow, koel, white-breasted kingfisher, bulbul, herons and even pitpit. You will find the rainbow-coloured feathers flitting around.

Bird watching does not mandate huge investment save binoculars, camera (if interested in photography), a good book on birds and a tidy sum to travel (and entry fee too in some places) as per convenience – car, taxi, bike or bus depending upon the distance from your house. Remember to stock your backpack with goodies as much, as once out in the open fields you can’t expect a restaurant or a snack bar.

The Red-whiskered Bulbul

Morning is the best time to spot the winged friends but one can watch them during afternoon or evenings. An alert pair of eyes apart, attentive ears would help to locate a bird by its shriek or call and the blissful sojourn can begin at backyards if there are trees.Most of the resident birds that have got accustomed to humans live on trees or thickets from where they can access food/water easily. Sometimes they can be located on telephone/electricity cables along the road. Not a moment will cause boredom to the avid watcher.

Indian robin, red vented/red whiskered/white browed bulbul, Indian pond heron, little egret, cattle egret, purple sunbird, jungle babbler, white throated kingfisher, painted storks, open bill storks and pelicans – name them and they are all available here.