Living near Pallikaranai, Nanmangalam, Adyar, Tharamani Areas? Look out for these Birds…
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.
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.
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.
Posted on March 9, 2012, in Attractions, Ecological Restoration in Chennai, Hobby and tagged Bird, Birdwatching, Bulbul, chennai, guindy national park, indian robin, Pallikaranai, Recreation, White-throated Kingfisher. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
Owls are pretty common in medavaakam side ;D
Deepak, Thanks for your comment. I believe you are talking about birds? 🙂 Best Katie
some real nice shots of the birds!!
and good to know that chennai has some nature options too!!
http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
beautiful shots.. and come to think of it.. in our daily lives we hardly even have time to look up a tree! I am inspired.
I am glad to have found you at Indiblogger. Your newest follower and regular visitor now.
cheers,
Kajal
Kajal,
Nice to have you here. Hectic life and so we miss small things but important and beautiful things around us. Thanks for your support.
Best
Katie