Birding in the Western Ghats - Sharavathi Valley
Nestled deep within the emerald folds of the Western Ghats lies Sharavathi Valley. This March, I set out on a bird photography trip to this magical stretch of forest, joined by fellow nature enthusiasts. What followed was a quiet yet thrilling immersion into a world ruled by hornbills, barbets, and shadow-loving flycatchers.
The Journey
We began our journey with an 8-hour drive from Bangalore, winding through the changing landscape until we reached Jog Falls – the gateway to Sharavathi. From there, the road led us further into the forested interior towards our homestay, on the road that connects Jog to Bhatkal. A small, no-frills house with shared bathrooms and creaky cots – it offered nothing fancy, yet everything we needed. The simplicity of the place mirrored the rawness of the forest outside.
Life in the Forest
Days in Sharavathi Valley begin early. Mornings broke with mist clinging to the canopy and the soft call of the Malabar Whistling Thrush – nature’s alarm clock. Our plan for the trip was simple: long hours in the hides, watching and waiting.
These hides, carefully positioned near fruiting trees or waterholes, gave us front-row seats to the secret lives of the forest birds. We spent most of our time quietly tucked away in these wooden shelters, lenses ready, eyes peeled. It was a game of patience, but with colourful rewards!
The hornbills were the highlight of the trip. Watching a Malabar Pied Hornbill swoop in, wings outstretched like a prehistoric beast, never fails to raise the pulse. They were shy, but the early morning hours often brought them out.
What made this trip special wasn't just the species count, but the quiet rhythm of the forest – the filtered light, the rustle of leaves, the low, booming call of a drongo echoing through the valley. We sat still, hours on end, simply witnessing.
The light was tricky – dense canopy meant high ISOs and wide apertures. But the challenge added to the satisfaction of getting the shot.
A Brief Detour to Mattur
On our return journey, we made a quick stop at Mattur –my home. While we couldn’t explore much in the 45 minutes we spent there, after a packed few days in the forest, a home-cooked meal was the perfect wrap to our trip.
Bird Species Spotted
Here’s a list of the bird species we encountered and photographed during our time in Sharavathi:
Indian Blue Robin (male and female)
Yellow-browed Bulbul
Orange-headed Thrush
Black-naped Monarch
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Spotted Dove
Emerald Dove
Large-billed Leaf Warbler
Rusty-tailed Flycatcher
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta
White-bellied Blue Flycatcher
Malabar Whistling Thrush
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Indian Pitta
Red Spurfowl
Junglefowl
Malabar Pied Hornbill
Malabar Grey Hornbill
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Green Bee-eater
Golden Oriole
Flame-throated Bulbul
Dark-headed Babbler
Sunbirds (various species)
Malabar Parakeet
Greater Flameback Woodpecker
Rufous Woodpecker
White-cheeked Barbet
Vernal Hanging Parrot
Reflections
This trip to Sharavathi was less about chasing lifers and more about being present – the kind of trip that reminds you of how vast and rich the natural world is, just a few hours from city life. As always, the Western Ghats left me in awe. While my memory card was full of images, a sense of calm stayed with us.
Until the next adventure.
