Wings Over the Hills: Tracking Birds at Anuvavi Temple
Anuvavi Bird Count
The Anuvavi Subramaniarkovil Bird Count is a long-term citizen science initiative that began in January 2018 near the Thadagam Valley in Coimbatore. This ongoing bird monitoring effort takes place monthly, typically on the third Sunday, and aims to document avian diversity in the scrub and secondary forest habitats surrounding the temple.
Survey Protocol
The count starts at the foothills around 7:30 AM and concludes by 9:00 AM at the temple promontory, which sits on the face of a hill. Observers record birds seen and heard across six designated locations, using visual and auditory sampling techniques. Due to the presence of elephants and other wildlife, participants exercise strict safety protocols during the trek.
Habitat and Terrain
The temple is nestled within a reserve forest zone, characterized by scrub vegetation, regenerating woodland, and rocky slopes. This biodiverse landscape supports a wide range of bird species, making it a valuable site for monthly avifaunal surveys.
Volunteer Guidelines
Bird enthusiasts interested in joining the count should have basic bird identification skills and be physically prepared for a moderate uphill trek. As the temple is a Hindu religious site located within protected forest land, volunteers are expected to follow a specific code of conduct, which includes behavioral and ecological guidelines.
👉 View the [Code of Conduct]
