Bird Walk at Ponnuthu Grassland, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Coimbatore
- 18 October, 2026
- Aparna - TREE NGO
About Ponnuthu Grassland
In the Western Ghats foothills northwest of Coimbatore, a forest path climbs into the Thadagam Reserve Forest to the small shrine of Ponnuthu Amman. The temple sits beside a sacred spring and a waterfall that flows all year and feeds a rocky pool. Above it rises Kurudi Hill, one of the most striking peaks near the city. The walk passes through dry deciduous forest, thorny scrub, bamboo, rocky slopes and grassy clearings. Dense undergrowth grows along the streams, and trees such as teak, neem, tamarind and wild fig give shade and fruit. This is a working wildlife corridor. Asian elephants regularly cross here and drink at the waterfall, and sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, peafowl, and sometimes a leopard use the same slopes.
For birders, Ponnuthu offers a rich mix of forest and scrub birds right on Coimbatore’s doorstep. Cuckoos and malkohas creep through the thickets, rollers and bee-eaters sit out in the open, and swifts sweep over the ridges. Raptors hunt along the forest edge. But the Thadagam valley is under heavy pressure. Brick kilns and large-scale soil mining have scarred the foothills and cut into elephant routes. Expanding farms and settlements, fences, forest fires, invasive Lantana and litter left by visitors add to the strain, and human–elephant conflict keeps rising as a result. Protecting the corridor, restoring the mined land and visiting the forest responsibly are vital to keeping this sacred grove wild.
For birders, Ponnuthu offers a rich mix of forest and scrub birds right on Coimbatore’s doorstep. Cuckoos and malkohas creep through the thickets, rollers and bee-eaters sit out in the open, and swifts sweep over the ridges. Raptors hunt along the forest edge. But the Thadagam valley is under heavy pressure. Brick kilns and large-scale soil mining have scarred the foothills and cut into elephant routes. Expanding farms and settlements, fences, forest fires, invasive Lantana and litter left by visitors add to the strain, and human–elephant conflict keeps rising as a result. Protecting the corridor, restoring the mined land and visiting the forest responsibly are vital to keeping this sacred grove wild.
Bird Guide: Aparna - TREE NGO (Co-ordinator)
She is a wildlife photographer and passionate birdwatcher from Coimbatore with 6 years of experience observing and documenting birds in their natural habitats. Her work combines photography with a strong commitment to wildlife conservation, using visual storytelling to inspire appreciation for nature. She was recognized as a Young Conservationist by the Coimbatore Forest Division for her contributions to conservation awareness and environmental stewardship.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Ponnuthu Grassland
Ponnuthu’s forest edge is full of surprises. The Blue-faced Malkoha, a long-tailed cuckoo with bright blue skin around its eyes and an apple-green bill, creeps quietly through the thickets. The Indian Roller looks dull on its perch, then opens its wings in a flash of brilliant blues. The Black-headed Cuckooshrike and the Common Iora search the leaves for caterpillars, while the Black-hooded Oriole adds bold yellow and black to the canopy. Two drongos share the forest. The glossy Black Drongo prefers open perches, while the White-bellied Drongo, a true forest bird, hunts from the shade. The Black-rumped Flameback drums on old trunks, and the Coppersmith Barbet taps out its steady “tuk-tuk”. Asian Green Bee-eaters sally out after insects. Overhead, big Alpine Swifts race along the ridges beside Little Swifts. A Shikra dashes low through the trees, and the Brahminy Kite circles on chestnut wings. Rose-ringed Parakeets, Greater Coucals and Asian Koels fill the woods with calls. Gray Francolins and Indian Peafowl call from the scrub, and doves feed quietly along the path.
Blue-faced Malkoha
Indian Roller
Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Black-hooded Oriole
Common Iora
White-bellied Drongo
Black Drongo
Black-rumped Flameback
Coppersmith Barbet
Asian Green Bee-eater
Alpine Swift
Little Swift
Shikra
Brahminy Kite
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Greater Coucal
Asian Koel
Red-wattled Lapwing
Grey Francolin
Indian Peafowl
Summary of Walk
A remarkable thirty-seven birders joined guide Aparna S at Ponnuthu Grassland in Coimbatore on 18 October for one of the largest walks of the weekend, and the group recorded a fantastic 47 species across the open landscape. Grasslands are some of the most exciting yet overlooked habitats for birds, and the large and enthusiastic group enjoyed exploring the wide horizons, watching for movement in the grass and scanning the sky for raptors and swifts. The highlights included the Loten’s Sunbird, a gorgeous little nectar-feeder with a long, curved bill and a flash of iridescent colour, and the Rosy Starling, a striking migratory visitor with a pink body and black head that arrives in flocks at this time of year. Around them, the grassland and scrub held a lively community of larks, pipits, munias, bulbuls and bee-eaters, and the group enjoyed learning to tell these birds apart by their calls, flight and shapes. Aparna guided the walk with warmth, patience and a clear love of grassland birds, making sure that everyone, even in a large group, had the chance to see each bird and ask questions. A walk with this many participants has a special energy, and the shared excitement of each new sighting made the morning a joy. Many in the group were beginners, and it was wonderful to see them find their first birds through binoculars and learn the basics of identification. A tally of 47 species is a fine achievement for any walk, and the turnout was a testament to the growing community of nature lovers in Coimbatore. Participants left with new birds on their lists and a deeper appreciation for the value of grasslands.
Number of Participants
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