“Oh no, tomorrow we cannot start early for the temple tour. I will be occupied with the weekly bird census. You can may be skip that and instead get to know about Jain temples in Madurai from my brother until I return,” informed Raveendran, a walking encyclopedia of birds, my friend and host in Madurai.
Bird census? In Madurai? The words echoed in my head.
Blame my ignorance – That was the first time I heard about birding in Madurai and not wanting to pass up the opportunity of getting to know more of my fellow earth mates, I counted myself in for the trip.
Seven km from Madurai city on Alagar koil road is Poondi tank – a spot considered ideal for birding by nature enthusiasts. Raveendran, who has a sharp eye to spot birds, noticed it first. Moving light as a feather, beautifully colored, midst lotuses and lilies, it was a bird I had never seen before. Instantly, I cursed myself for spending all the money saved to buy a camera on weekend travels around my hometown. As if hearing my thoughts, Raveendran uttered the golden words, “Take my camera and click some pictures.” Throwing the binoculars in the air, I grabbed his high-end camera and clicked my first ever decent photo of a bird:
A km away from Poondi tank crossing two villages is Mathur tank – a spot where members of Madurai Nature Forum had gathered for the weekly bird census. I was pleasantly surprised to see a big group of more than 15, each holding either a camera or a book or binoculars. On talking to them, I figured they were from diverse professional backgrounds, united by their passion for birding.
Together, for the next one hour we spotted, clicked, and discussed birds. What they shared was fascinating—Madurai falls on the birds’ migratory routes and the tanks in the city happen to be their resting place. During the season of migration from October to March, birders have identified over 236 species in the area.
A few birds spotted at Mathur tank:
After touring Gandhi museum in the evening, my friend spoke of a lesser known place in the outskirts of Madurai and added, it would be the best place to be during sunset. 10 km from the city, on taking a left, we reached Samanatham tank. What I saw was a sight that would leave any bird lover speechless. Hundreds of birds—Pelicans, Egrets, Ibis, Herons, and many more, were settling to roost in the tiny bit of land within the expansive water tank as sun was setting behind the trees.
It is a bird-watchers paradise. On 26 October, 2014 a total of 2500 birds were spotted at the tank by birders that included migratory birds such as Asian paradise flycatcher, Brown shrike, Blue-tailed bee-eater, Common sandpiper, Wood sandpiper, Garganey, Ruddy shelduck, Booted eagle and many more (Source: Madurai Nature Forum.)
“An ornithologist, also a senior member of Madras Naturalist’s society, once challenged me that Madurai does not fall on the routes of migratory birds. But, he was stunned after seeing 2500 Glossy ibis, all at once, during sunset at Samanatham tank,” shared Raveendran with pride.
At the end of my four days trip, the image I carried in my head about Madurai had changed—a canvas filled with temples and mahals in shades of golden brown had transformed into a canvas with mighty shades of green and blue adding a splendid contrast to the rich brown of temple city’s architectural marvels.
If you are in Madurai and interested in bird-watching, contact Raveendran, President, Iragukal Naturalist Association (Mob.No: 9843136786) and enjoy watching these flying beauties with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Have you seen the movie The Big Year, starring Owen Wilson, Jack Black and Steve Martin? 🙂
No Kat, but looked it up on the internet after you mentioned 🙂
It’s a comedy movie on birding 😉
Yes, the story sounds interesting. Will surely watch it! 😀
Oh really i am excited sister….feeling very happy about your article…really madurai is an unexplored area for birding…Now only we are creating awareness to the people…thanks for all.
Thank you Anna. I sincerely hope that the tanks in the city get ‘bird sanctuary’ status and the benefit it deserves.
A heaven for flying beauties, indeed! I love all these photos. Thank you for the beautiful post 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post Amy! 🙂
excellent piece, comrade! must visit these parts before birding season ends, just to see the jacana!
There are so many spots for birding in Madurai Christy, you especially would love it!I saw Jacana for the first time and I went crazy.
I can imagine, i ve never seen one but it looks like such a mythical creature!
true that!
great post..and for a first timer, the photos are awesome 😛 thanks for sharing… 🙂
and I guess your name is Divya?
Thank you Saya..Yes, Divya is me 😀
I’m still gonna call you gypsy 😛
hehe..I like that better 😀
very nice article madam..
Glad you liked it Ravi. You guys are the expert! 🙂
Interesting
Thank you 🙂
Did you say host?!! Couch surfing again?!! 😀
Loved the captures. Especially Indian roller. Caught in action!
No, din’t surf this time. Still he was my host 🙂 Thank you 🙂
okay. Alright. Which camera did you buy btw?
Arre, still dint buy a camera 😦 It is killing me! I took my host’s Canon and took the shots..
I thought in your previous post you mentioned about buying a new camera. Maybe i’m mistaken
hehe..in this current Madurai post, I have mentioned that I had spent all the money saved for buying a camera on travel..
Yea.. I saw that.. and I was confused, I thought you forgot your camera at home and used your host’s high end camera 😀
*sigh* wish it was that 🙂
I hope you will buy one soon 🙂
My best wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! With love Maxima
Thank you so much. Wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! 🙂
Lovely location. Now that windpters are here, I am sure many migratory birds must have moved in as well.
It truly is! 🙂 There were so many birds (migratory as well), they filled the trees with all sorts of colors…A captivating sight it was.
Great to see article:-) being a south indian, reading about our places gives special feel
I will try and make you special often 🙂 Because my blog mainly focuses on places in south india 🙂
So beautiful.
It is. Scenery, birds, people, all of it 😀
Fabulous! Loved all the pics. I think you have succeeded in your first try in birding…good going 🙂
Thank you so much Moon. I am still very much an amateur in birding, hoping to get better 🙂
Your photos are beautiful!!
Thank you Jamie 🙂
Your blog was quite a revelation. Apart from the temple and food circuit I didn’t know about the birding angle. Setting out right away. Thanks a ton !
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It was just of luck that I got this article ibam a regular visitor at virudhanagar near to madurai very happy to see the info is helpful for me as i can do a bit oytbofbmy schedule