Frogs and Frogmouths

On Oct 2nd, the Malabar Natural History Society ( MNHS ) along with the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department and, The Zoological Survey of India conducted a Frog Survey at  the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary.Now while I am primarily a birder, and Herpetology not my usual cup of tea, I jumped at the chance of exploring the insides of the wildlife sanctuary at night.

So, along with my friends Riyan ( Asst.Prof in Zoology) and Sudheer ( Physician), we set out from Calicut at around 4:15 pm. The route we took was, Calicut-Thamarassery-Poonoor-Thalayad-Kakkayam-Kakkayam dam (entrance to Malabar WLS) . We made it just in time by 6:00 pm, when the rest of the team were disembarking from their vehicles.

After a quick cup of tea and refreshments at the dorms, we were given a brief introduction and objectives of the day’s survey by Dr.Jafar Palot ( ZSI and Hon.Sec of the MNHS). We were also in the esteemed company of Dr. Varad Giri of the BNHS and Satyan Meppayur of MNHS. Other members from the MNHS and BNHS has also come for the survey.

Ceylon Frogmouth | Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary(Kakkayam), Calicut | 2nd Oct 2014 The frog survey conducted by MNHS yielded a superb bonus….lots of frogs and this Frogmouth !!! It was a thrilling experience to hear the calls of the Frogmouths ( Many of them) in the crisp clean night , accompanied by the million frog and insect sounds… We had taken precautions by using torchlight ( and not a flash) and high ISO ( ISO 3200) to click this image.Though this might still have caused the bird some inconvenience,we left it on its way as soon as we managed this record shot. Many thanks to the excellent spotting skills of Riyan Konkath, and DrSudheer Mullakkal

Eagerly we set out and were soon set upon by the million leeches which are present in the rain forests at this time of the year.While the herpers,came well prepared with gumboots, headlights etc, we birders were not so well prepared and did not join them when they waded enthusiastically into the streams and pools inside the bamboo thickets.

Raorchestes ochlandrae (Ochlandrae reed frog) is a species of shrub frog in the Rhacophoridae family. It is endemic to the Western Ghats, India. This species of the oriental shrub frog was described from Kakkayam Reserve Forest of Calicut district, Kerala state, in the southern Western Ghats. ( Wiki) This was perhaps the prize catch of the night, and worth the numerous leech bites all over my body.

We stayed on the main path sufficiently thrilled to hear the calls of the very rare Ceylon Frogmouth. We even managed to spot and photograph one while the Herpers were finding many rare endemic frogs.The survey went on long into the night and finally we all trudged back to the base camp around midnight for a delicious dinner of steaming hot rice and sambar and pickles prepared by the foresters. As it was a working day the next day we drove back the same night a reached our homes by around 2:30 am.

I must put in a serious word of appreciation for the remarkable spotting ability, dedication and determination of the herpetology group.They are just too good, unmindful of the leeches and terrain, including negotiating small waterfalls at night, they kept on in full enthusiasm searching and finding frogs well into the night.

I must also give thanks to the gentlemen of the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department, who were fantastic guides and wonderful hosts, staying up so late into the night to take care of our group.

Sunday Drives…Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary.

My friend Kishore had been itching to test out a Sigma 150-500 lens for sometime.The opportunity finally came on the second weekend of October.We decided to visit Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary which is about 30-45 mins drive from Calicut.

Our plan was to reach there as early as possible, make a few images and return back home before lunch.We started off at around 5:45 am, stopping for some hot tea at Feroke, and finally reached Kadalundi before 7am.

Little Egret.

Now I had visited Kadalundi about 2 years ago and was least impressed with that place.Little did I know then that, to get to do some serious birding/bird photography in Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, one has to trek a bit.
So for those who like me have/had no clue about the precise directions to get to the birding spots read on….
We parked the car near the tourist information center.Alternately one can also park their vehicle behind the Kadalundi railway station.We had to cross one bridge across the river.Now there are two bridges, the new one and the old(infamous Kadalundi train crash). While the new one on the left has an excellent footpath, one has to cross the track on the right to reach the birding site.
We had a tough time as we had taken the new bridge, and then climb down a scary ladder, jump from a height across a ditch and climb up back and across the railway track. Now as you walk along on the right side track you will come across a second set of bridges. Just before the start of the second bridge on the right side track, there is a small rough path which starts with a rock climb down.One has to be very very careful while descending down, especially with expensive cameras and lenses.Also it is recommended to wear waterproof sandals with a good grip rather than shoes.
Now once you descend down, you reach the island/prime birding site.
We had taken permission from the authorities before venturing on this trek and I would recommend that to anyone visiting this site as this is a protected area.

3 Whimbrels with a Eurasian Curlew

Lesser Sand Plovers

We came across Sandpipers, Gulls, Redshanks, Wagtails,Kites, Whimbrels, Eurasian Curlews, Kingfishers,Egrets, Sand Plovers at this site. Apparently the winter migrant birds had not started visiting.

Western Reef Heron

We photographed birds till around 9 am.The sun was getting hot and the light harsh….we decided to make the walk back to our car.
Now on the way back we walk along the old railway bridge. The foot path was broken and we had to walk along the tracks…SCARY !!! Finally we made it to the car safe and sound, and headed back home in time for a late breakfast.

Eurasian Curlew

Brown Headed Gull

Common Redshank

Photography tip: The birds are skittish and very vary of humans.It is best to lie flat on your belly and crawl commando style to get close to the birds and also get some good eye level shots. Make sure you have a clean towel and spare clothes as one is bound to be covered in wet sand…not a very comfortable feeling.

Ps. The wiki on Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary.

PPS. Please ask me before using any of my images.

A sunday drive.

We were the last group to leave the checkpost. Although we reached Malabar WLS well after the official visiting hours, we struck up some conversation with the police and forest guards. Very friendly people, who I must say have their patience tested by the innumerable idiots who venture there with their drinks/bottles/etc etc….

They told us to be careful about elephants that we may come across on the road. It had just started raining, and the sun was about to descend below the storm clouds.It was an amazing scene !!! I got out of the car, clicked a few frames and ran back in just before the heavens burst.

Thankfully the elephants were chilling out in their own piece of heaven.

More about Malabar WLS here