Munnar, Kerala, India (April 2025)
After the arid sands of Rajasthan to the rock-strewn hills of Hampi in Jan-Feb, April 2025 found me among the lush green mountains of Munnar, Kerala. Walking up and down steep mountain paths surrounded by lush greenery is indeed breathtaking.
From the tea and other plantations, wild grasses and bushes carpeting the ground to the tall Eucalypti towering into the sky above the thicker tropical trees below the Kerala world is green from the ground to the sky.
The tropical temperatures moderated by the 4000' elevation and plentiful rain creates a haven for birds. The two locations I “birded” in were the Taj Scenic and about 3 kms down the steep mountain road from the Taj to the Muthirappuzhayar River. But I knew as I packed my bags to return lifetime os birding awaits me here.
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The Taj Scenic is an amazing complex of cottages spread linked by paved roads lined with bushes, flowers, trees and grass. It is surrounded by green and forested hillsides.
​ The manicured/natural greenery within the hotel and the natural surrounding forest-like environment ia a magnet for birds. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
The balcony of our room overlooked 2 trees with relatively few leaves and a ringside clear view of birds.
The green "pond" and forest was behind the trees, was visible from the balcony for spotting birds that are more shy of human habitations.
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Black Throated Munia
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Greater Racket Tailed Drongo
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Indian Pond Heron
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Loten Sun Bird
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Malabar Parakeet
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Niligiri Flower Pecker
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Red Whiskered Bul Bul
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Southern Hill Myna
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Spotted Dove
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Vernal Hanging Parrot
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Yellow Browed Bul Bul
The steep road downhill is a 3 km walk from the Taj to the river bank. It is roughly paved, yet traffic free except for the very infrequent auto or motorcycle.
Many paths and roads branch off snaking their winding way up and down the mountains. A wealth of birds inhabits the green bushes, Tall forests, tea and cinnamon plantations and small water ponds along the way. Spotting and photographing is a much more challenging task. One has to look upwards while stepping down the steep hillside and require high zooms with legs and arms unsteady due to the exertion of climbing. We managed to capture the following:
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Asian Koel
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Greater Coucal
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Jungle Babbler
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Large Billed Crow
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Orange Headed Thrush
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Oriental Magpie Robin
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Rooster
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Roufus Babbler​
