Bird Walk at Ponkunn Hills, Kozhikode, KL
- Kozhikode
- 13 September, 2026
- Muhammed Rafi
About Ponkunn Hills
Ponkunn Hills is a scenic hill landscape in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, characterised by undulating terrain, rocky slopes, patches of grassland, scrub and pockets of vegetation. The surrounding landscape is a mix of natural habitats and rural areas, creating a varied environment that supports a range of birds and other wildlife. During the monsoon and post-monsoon periods, the hills become particularly attractive, with lush vegetation and seasonal changes adding to the landscape’s ecological character.
The combination of elevated slopes, open areas and patches of scrub makes Ponkunn Hills an interesting destination for birdwatching and nature exploration. The varied habitats provide opportunities to observe woodland birds, insectivores, raptors and species that favour open scrub and grassland. The hill landscape also acts as a green refuge amid the surrounding human-dominated areas, contributing to local biodiversity. Early mornings are especially rewarding for birding, when bird activity is highest and the hills offer a peaceful setting for observing species in their natural surroundings.
Bird Guide: Muhammed Rafi
He has been passionate about birding for over 8 years, exploring diverse habitats and documenting his observations. Having recorded 412 bird species, he actively contributes to citizen science and bird conservation while deepening his connection with nature.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Ponkunn Hills
The records from Ponkunnu Hill, Kakkur, show a diverse bird community associated with the hill’s forest patches, rocky slopes, scrub, open areas and surrounding wet habitats. The site is particularly notable for its raptor and owl diversity, with species such as Black Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Brown Boobook, Brown Wood-Owl and Brown Fish-Owl recorded here. The hill also supports Malabar Barbet, Malabar Whistling-Thrush, Indian Cuckooshrike, and Bay-backed Shrike, reflecting the varied woodland and scrub habitats. Seasonal visitors and migrants add further interest, including Common Rosefinch, Ortolan Bunting, Common Chiffchaff, Eastern Orphean Warbler and Common Cuckoo. Wetland-associated species such as White-breasted Waterhen, Great Cormorant, Black-headed Ibis and Great Egret are also recorded, while swifts, needletails and Dusky Crag-Martins make use of the open skies and rocky surroundings. Overall, the records highlight Ponkunnu Hill as an important birding site in the Kozhikode landscape, supporting an interesting mix of resident, migratory, woodland, grassland and wetland birds.
Indian Nightjar
Common Rosefinch
Malabar Barbet
White-breasted Waterhen
Common Cuckoo
Great Cormorant
Brown Wood-Owl
Bay-backed Shrike
Common Woodshrike
Brown Fish-Owl
Indian Cuckooshrike
Tricolored Munia
Common Chiffchaff
Malabar Whistling-Thrush
Black-headed Ibis
Dusky Crag-Martin
White-browed Wagtail
Indian Cuckoo
Oriental Magpie Robin
Great Egret
Summary of Walk
Ponkunn Hills in Kozhikode hosted an inspiring bird walk on 13 September with 14 participants led by guide Muhammed Rafi. One of Kerala’s important birding hotspots, known for attracting rare migratory as well as resident species, the location lived up to its reputation with the group recording 41 species during the session.
Highlights included the European Roller, Blyth’s Swift, Alpine Swift, Booted Eagle, and Grey-headed Bulbul, giving the group a real taste of the site’s diversity. For more than half the participants, this was their very first birding experience, and the walk sparked genuine enthusiasm to continue exploring birds and nature. The morning left everyone looking forward to more regular walks at this
Number of Participants
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