When we first took over this erstwhile sericulture unit in 1996, we were hard-pressed to find any birds apart from crows, pigeons and a few grassland birds.

We began to reforest parched land with one of the main goals being to bring in birdlife. Due to various private initiatives like ours, today this is a region alive with a spectacular assortment of birds. We now host over 150 species of birds - endemic, resident and migratory - over the course of the year.

 Some of the best ways to see and photograph them is to settle yourself near a fruiting/ blooming tree or on one of our bird-watching towers, or sit still, try and be inconspicuous and watch the jungle come alive around you.

A single tree could attract, over the course of the day, the Great and Malabar Hornbills, several species of woodpeckers including the rather beautiful White-bellied Woodpecker and a host of passerines. Flashing Minivets, spangled Drongos, bejeweled Green Pigeons, cheeky Barbets, magical Asian Fairy Bluebirds are all attracted to either the fruits/ flowers or the insects that they in turn attract.

This region is an eco-tone between the moist deciduous/semi-evergreen forests of the higher hills and the dry-deciduous, teak-dominated forests of the foothills. The Nilgiris form a dramatic background and nothing can quite match the exhilaration of watching a Black Eagle with its arched primaries swing high on a thermal, framed against the blue mountains.

We have successfully created biodiversity within our campus landscape.

It is not uncommon to encounter Jungle Bush Quail and Green Bee-eaters on their grassland hunting grounds.

The normally elusive Grey-headed Bulbul often sheds its mystery amongst the bamboo clumps we have planted. Don’t be surprised if you are woken up before your alarm goes off by the rainy-day tune of a whistling schoolboy, better known as the Malabar Whistling Thrush.

You may find yourself startled by the icy stare of the Blue-faced Malkoha when exploring the open scrub or return feeling that something’s amiss, only to find that the rock you walked 3ft from, later revealed itself to be a nesting Jerdons Nightjar.

Flycatchers hover around the Pongamia pinnata tree when in bloom, in pursuit of bees and other insects that come for the flower.

Depending on the time of year, you may just be the lucky one to welcome home winged travellers like the Rosy Starlings and Forest Wagtails that seek us out as their winter refuge. While on their annual visit to us, the Indian Pittas, busily rummaging in the underbrush, help us keep time by heralding dawn and dusk.

Our birding tours also take you from an elevation of 3000 feet where we are located, to 6000 feet atop the hills that form the backdrop to Jungle Retreat, where a different array of birds meet you. Nilgiri Flycatchers, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, White-bellied Blue Flycatchers and Nilgiri Blue Robins often delight many birding enthusiasts.

We have well-trained in-house guides who accompany groups/ individuals interested in bird watching.

BOOKING: Guests interested in birdwatching are requested to mention so while booking, so that the right arrangements may be made on your arrival. An ornithologist/guide will be organized to take you into the forest.

ATTIRE: Walking shoes, earthy-colored clothes.

WE RECOMMEND: For a bird watching group, a minimum of three nights stay at Jungle Retreat is ideal. Carry a pair of binoculars and a bird book.