| Address: | CV8G+QRG, Mettupalayam Main Road, Kotagiri, 643217 |
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| How to go: | |
| Pros: | |
| Cons: | No cons |
| What to visit ? | Kotagiri hill station and Sims park |
| Company: | Solo, family, friends, bird watchers |
| Minimum day/time to visit: | 3 days 2 night as per my opinion |
| Locality: | Hill station |
| Expenses: |
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| More Information: | Kotagiri—a highly underrated hill station that offers beauty in every corner. Here, the sunrise fills you with new hope for another day, every turn in the road brings unexpected surprises, and the refreshing weather brings a smile to your face. Vibrant blooms welcome you wherever you look, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by lush tea plantations. And most importantly, walking with Aggal Ji will introduce you to the endemic birds of this region. If you want to spend two days experiencing all of this, then you’re in the right place. Let’s walk together. Aggal Ji is the only bird guide in Kotagiri who not only shows you birds but also works in the most ethical manner. At 58, he is one of the most hardworking and knowledgeable people when it comes to habitat studies. His age does not limit his enthusiasm. He works with his clients in a well-structured manner, ensuring that no one is ever disappointed—that’s what I realized. He plans sessions according to your wish list, so be sure to have yours ready! I stayed at Thillai Garden Homestay, which is conveniently located right beside the main road. Buses traveling to Kotagiri from Bangalore drop you off there overnight, making the journey completely hassle-free. My birdwatching adventure started with great excitement. After reviewing my list, Aggal Ji pointed out which species would not be available in March. Among them, the Kashmir Flycatcher stood out. Although it can sometimes be found in the Ooty Botanical Garden, it requires a 60 km drive from Kotagiri, which I had not planned for, so I decided to skip it. Aggal Ji took me to various corners of the hills, showing me as many birds as possible. While photographing this particular species, I realized how difficult it was to spot in Kotagiri, even though it inhabits specific areas. It is often disturbed and changes its position frequently. However, once it settles down, you can gently take its picture. But don’t forget—you’ll need to put in a lot of hard work for this. The Black Eagle is a fascinating bird to find in Kotagiri. Its flight is a slow, graceful glide. If you position yourself well, you can easily capture excellent shots. Its striking yellow bill and legs contrast beautifully against its black body. Kotagiri is also well known for Crested Tree Swift sightings. If you visit in March, you’ll see them with their chicks. From a safe distance, you can take amazing photos of this beautiful bird. I was eagerly waiting to see the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush in the morning, and finally, it appeared on a beautiful tree. Previously, I had seen the Palani Laughing Thrush in Munnar, so I was even more excited to spot the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush. As I was joyfully heading back, Aggal Ji showed us a Hill Swallow—a bird I had been longing to see since the day I captured a record shot of it in Munnar. I never expected to see it up close while collecting nesting material. On the way, we spotted a Common Buzzard, gently soaking in the sunlight while perched on a pole. I thanked God for giving me a better view than the one I had in Jigani Kere in Bangalore. Oh, you haven’t seen my Jigani Kere vlog? I’m mentioning the link in the description box! We visited Sim’s Park in the morning, located in Coonoor, which is 13 km away from Kotagiri. People say Sim’s Park gives you the best opportunity to photograph the Black-and-Orange Flycatcher. But unfortunately, that day luck was not on our side. Instead, we spotted a few other birds. The Sim’s Park entry fee is ₹40 per person, and the camera fee is ₹50. If you are a dedicated birder, you might feel disappointed if you don’t find your target species here. However, if you visit as a nature lover, you will undoubtedly enjoy the beauty and ambiance of this place. So, I highly recommend visiting Sim’s Park if you’re in Coonoor. For the Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, we went to another location, but it was far more challenging as I had to do forest birding. Anyone familiar with this bird knows its behavior—it is a restless and tiny flycatcher that often moves through cluttered and dark areas. Somehow, I managed to capture a few pictures of this beautiful bird. In the same forest, we encountered the Nilgiri Sholakili. Despite being a type of robin, its behavior was not very agile. Its size is large enough to take a good photograph, but the biggest challenge was its habitat. It prefers dark, mossy areas near streams. Although the bird gave me enough time and posed well, I was unfortunately unable to get the perfect shot. There are certain locations where specific bird species can be found. I was thrilled to finally photograph the Black Bulbul on this trip, after missing it in Munnar. Birding in Kotagiri can sometimes be risky, as you often have to walk through tea plantations. If you’re familiar with such terrain, you know that some areas can be quite steep. Make sure to carry a sturdy pair of shoes with good grip. Even though I had enough time to cover the endemic species, like every trip, it still felt like something was missing at the end. The Grey-headed Bulbul made up for that feeling. I must say, it is one of the most difficult birds to photograph in the Nilgiris and the Western Ghats, but somehow, I managed to get a few shots. Wildlife in Kotagiri One unique feature of Kotagiri is that the area is home to big cats like the Black Leopard, Leopard, Bengal Tiger, as well as Porcupines and Sloth Bears. These animals have fixed territories and frequently visit the tea gardens at night. I highly recommend asking Aggal Ji about them—you’ll be mesmerized by his stories! We also tried searching for them in the late evening, but unfortunately, luck was not on our side. Final Thoughts That’s all the information I could gather about Kotagiri for you! But honestly, this place is heaven on Earth, and I wish to visit again in the near future. For your reference, the best birding season for endemic species in Kotagiri is October to February, though other times of the year are good for specific species. I’m sharing Aggal Ji’s contact number in the description box—feel free to reach out to him! +91 9486530021 |
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