Kovai Birders is a community group passionate about bird watching and protecting nature in Coimbatore. It began in March 2014 when G. Parameswaran started monthly bird counts in Perur-Sundakamuthur Lake and monthly counts in Anuvavi Murugan Temple was added in Jan 2018. He was trained in bird identification and surveys through the Seattle Audubon’s Master birder Program.
Over time, more nature lovers joined him, which included R. Sivashankar, R.Vridhi, Sai Vivek, Dilip Joshi, Prakash.G, Mohan Prasath, Chetankumar Joshi, Sharang Satish, and Sarayu Ramakrishnan. We were also helped by Zoo Outreach to learn more about wetland ecology. Our peer reviewed scientific publications are a two year survey in 2018 publish in Journal of Threatened Taxa(Jott) and a six year survey in Indian Birds(IB) published in Oct 2023
To protect and document Coimbatore’s rich birdlife and wetland heritage through citizen-led bird surveys, awareness programs, and scientific collaboration—ensuring healthier ecosystems and informed conservation for future generations.
To build a nature-connected community where Coimbatore’s wetlands and forests thrive, rare bird species are protected, and citizen science leads the way in preserving biodiversity for generations to come.
We conduct monthly bird surveys, engage citizen scientists, share data with experts, and promote awareness to protect Coimbatore’s rich biodiversity.
Know Our History
MAR 2014
Where It All Began
G. Parameswaran begins Monthly Bird Counts in Perur-Sundakamuthur Lake, a wetland in the Southwest area of Greater Coimbatore, by putting the knowledge into practice from the lessons learned in Seattle Audubon’s Master Birder Programme
2014-2015
Nature-Loving Supporters
Vridhi. R, R. Sivashankar and Sai Vivek become early associates in this effort and continue to support the group’s activities till the present day. Prakash. G and Mohanprasad also joined the team soon after
2015-2016
Our Birding Team
The team of volunteers increased with the addition of Chetankumar Joshi, Sharang Satish, Gajamohanraj and Sarayu Ramakrishnan
Late 2015
Community Champions
The Zoo Outreach organization led by Dr. Sanjay Molur along with team members Priyanka Iyer and Keerthi Krutha participated in our Monthly Bird Counts and helped our group in understanding the ecology of wetlands
Sep 2016
New Associate and Steady as a Rock
Dilip Joshi also joined our team, where he played a crucial role in filling the checklist during the counts. He still continues to help with the effort.
January 2018
Expansion of Mission
Monthly Bird Count was started in Anuvavi Subramaniar Temple (surrounded by reserve forest) in the Thadagam area with the help of existing volunteers
October 2018
Our first Scientific paper
On October 26th, 2018 our two-year summary on the waterbirds of Perur Lake was published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT), a peer reviewed publication. It was authored by G. Parameswaran and R. Sivashankar.
2020-2021
Bird Monitoring during COVID pandemic
The Bird Counts in Perur Lake and Anuvavi Temple were suspended during the COVID pandemic. When the counts resumed with restrictions in place, all the safeguards were duly observed.
March 2021
Bird Monitoring Symposium 2021
Our associate Sai Vivek presented the six-year survey of Perur Lake in this national webinar titled, “Common Waterbirds – Indicators of Wetland Ecosystem”.
October 2023
Our second Scientific paper
On October 28th, 2023 our second peer reviewed Scientific paper was published in Indian Birds (IB) magazine. This six-year summary was written by G. Parameswaran, R. Sivashankar and Vridhi. R
2023-2024
Completion of Decade
On April 2024 our group was able to complete a decade of monthly Bird Counts in Perur Lake. Dilip Joshi and Sai Vivek were the two associates that were the backbone in this Bird Monitoring effort
August 2024
Bird Symposium 2024
Our team comprising of Sai Vivek, Vridhi. R. R. Sivashankar and G. Parameswaran presented the results of a decade of monthly counts in Perur Lake under the title, “A decade of bird monitoring in Perur Lake – An approach to Citizen Science” in this national webinar
Jan 2025
Long time supporter and new volunteer
Jayashree Raman wife of associate Sai Vivek has also joined our monthly counts and is helping with data collection and recording
2025-2026
A New Decade with a New Name
In 2025 a decision was taken to rename ourselves as Kovai Birders (our former name being Perur Lake Forum)
Meet Our Team
G. Parameswaran
G. Parameswaran received his basic education from of Kikani High School and completed his engineering education from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore. His interests are bird watching, conservation of habitat through citizen science, understanding our history and cultural heritage and learning Sanskrit. He is a graduate of the Seattle Audubon Society’s Masterbirder Programme and was also one of its Board of Directors from 2003 – 2008. He is currently retired and lives in his hometown of Coimbatore.
R.Sivashankar
R. Sivashankar is a Mechanical Engineering graduate working in the automotive sector since his graduation in 2012. His other interests are bird watching, the understanding environment through systematic data collection and exploration of South-Indian history and cultural heritage.
R Vridhi
Vridhi R is a Software Engineer who is a Computer Science graduate from Coimbatore Institute of Technology. Though the seeds of bird watching were sown at a very young age while studying in school, she became more actively involved in it since 2012. She has been part of several outreach programs in schools and offices, to spread the message of environmental conservation through bird watching. Her other interests include reading books and traveling to places of cultural importance.
Sai Vivek
Sai Vivek is an architect & graduated from the Academy of Architecture Mumbai. His interest in bird watching and butterfly spotting has led him to work towards improving awareness about citizen science. He is an avid traveler, to birding hotspots and places of historical &cultural importance. He has made Coimbatore his home for the last 20 years and also sings with his band ‘Unwind’.
Jayashree Raman
Jayashree Raman graduated as an architect in 1990. After working in the metros she and Sai Vivek moved to Coimbatore in search of a better work-life balance. She enjoys mentoring interns and helping them discover their potential. Her interests extend to India’s architectural, cultural and archaeological heritage. In her free time, she enjoys trekking, long walks and spending time in nature. She is keen to deepen her understanding of the natural world and is a beginner participant in the Perur Bird Count.
Dilip Joshi
A student of G. K. Mani High School who completed his graduation at School of Architecture, Chennai, and post-graduation in MBA at PSG College of Technology. He is interested in Bird Watching, loves nature, and a voracious reader. A Rotarian who is currently retired.If you’re a bird watcher with intermediate identification skills, we’d love to have you on our team.