male Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Back to the trip..... from Kumily and Periyar, we headed north through the lush, varied greens of the Keralan forest, weaving north through the Ghats until we reached Thattekad Bird Sanctuary five hours later (formerly the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, after the great man's pioneering studies here many years ago).
rolling up at the homestay, with a typically warm welcome from Sudah
After searching for a suitable place to stay at Thattekad, we were resigned to having to fork out whitey tourist prices for accommodation several kilometres outside the reserve (the accepted situation here) - far from ideal, but seemingly the only choice. Until, that is, the internet provided once again, and like a vision, Junglebird Homestay appeared before us.....
A perfect place located within the reserve, occupied by four generations of the same lovely family, surrounded by great habitat (and great birding), with delicious home-cooked food, and hosts who know the birds and the sanctuary better than anyone. A revelation.
Rufous Treepie vs. Chameleon on the homestay roof
Malabar Woodshrike
Typically, we made the most of our good fortune and ended up spending over a week here - an amazing place, and plenty more to follow.
Plum-headed Parakeet
Brown-breasted Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatchers
Indian Pitta
Booted Eagle
male Malabar Grey Hornbill
Darter
