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 usually on the third tuesday of the month. Our aim is to document the avian diversity surrounding the temple.
The count starts at the foothills around 7:00 AM and concludes at the temple promontory, which sits on the western face of a hill. Observers record birds seen and heard in six designated locations, using visual and auditory techniques.
This temple is nestled within a reserve forest, characterized by second growth and scrub vegetation with 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.