Bhadra Tiger Reserve

River tern Rendezvous

Bhadra Tiger Reserve is one of the jewels of the Western Ghats. Close to 80 sq.km of highly diverse habitat, ranging from an elevation of 615 m (2,018 ft) to 1,875 m (6,152 ft), the Bhadra Tiger Reserve its a bio-diversity hotspot. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Made of dry deciduous, moist deciduous, semi evergreen and the unique shola forest, at its highest elevations, make this one of kind in the Western Ghats.

Bhadra supports more than 120 species of plants. Wide variety of mammals, including an estimated 33 tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, small indian civet, pangolin and many many others.It boasts of more than 300 species of birds, many resident and a some migratory. Some of the species include the grey jungle fowl, red spurfowl, malabar trogon, painted bush quail, emerald dove and many others.

Birdwing’s tour to the place is with a focus on River Terns. We head to the Jungle Lodges Resorts property, wonderfully and strategically located, overlooking the beautiful Bhadra Dam. This place is known as the River Tern Lodge, getting its name from the multitude of these birds that come down there each year, to nest. One can even get a great view of these birds right from their room’s balcony !

This is the high point during summer. A huge congregation of River Terns that come down to nest on the small islets formed on the backwaters of the dam, built over the Bhadra river. There are usually more than 10,000 of these birds. A boat safari into the backwaters brings one to witness this nature’s spectacle. A sight of such a huge flock of birds, taking off, all at once, as the boat nears an islet, is just mesmerising. Their calls, creating a symphony of sorts over the waters, is a treat to ones’ ears. An experience that is beyond description, something that one must just see to believe.

During all this, a majestic tiger might just walk out onto the backwaters and give you an open view. Elephant herds might come out for a drink or just to play around in the water, late in the evening. Osprey, perched on partially submerged tree stumps, might give a relaxed, stretching display. Opportunities are endless in Bhadra.