I was recently in Pollachi in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. A quaint small town with many layers to it, known for the largest size of the tender coconut in the country, the Anamalai Temple, the Temple of Consciousness, an unusual school called Nachiar and more.

But what stayed with me for longer is the bird watching trip to the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. An early morning excursion to spot some amazing birds which include species endemic to the Malabar region as well as migratory birds from the colder regions of India and Asia. Indeed, Anamalai region is one of the main strongholds of Great Hornbill populations in the world. Other interesting birds species occur in this region are Malabar Trogon, Black Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, and Oriental Bay Owl. Here are few glimpses of what all I saw in my first ever bird watching experience in Pollachi.

Text and images by Supriya Aggarwal