KNF organized a gathering for wildlife volunteers who have actively participated in KNF events. Held inside a private property near the Muppandhal area, the location is owned by the Dhonavur Fellowship Trust, which has dedicated the land to wildlife conservation. The evening was dedicated to exploring this last remaining wilderness.
As the clock struck 5, attendees began arriving one by one. True to their passion for wildlife, many wasted no time in engaging in small talk; instead, they immediately set out to explore the terrain. Despite the intense heat and dry conditions, pockets of life flourished, with Capparis incanescens, Capparis zeylanica, Abutilon indicum flowers in full bloom and Indian robins, Yellow-billed babblers, and Red-vented bulbuls hopping around. The native Solanum pubescens bore numerous berries, catching the interest of a few individuals who wished to collect them for cooking purposes and to propagate the plant in different locations. The melodious tunes of the Common woodshrike and Iora filled the air. Indian Pitta, Large Sambar deer, Indian nightjar also was spotted by a team who explored another trail. A moth screen was erected to observe the fascinating variety of moths during the night.
With volunteers spanning ages from 10 to 50, there was a diverse range of interests and experiences among the group. As the evening descended and the sun cast a stunning orange glow across the sky, some ventured towards the bungalows scattered throughout the property, where they spotted bats. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the light was switched on for the moth screen, a gradual influx of moths began. Although it wasn’t their peak season, numerous small moths made an appearance, adding to the intrigue of the observation.
Meanwhile, others opted to retreat indoors to escape the heat, indulging in a lively game of Dumb Charades to guess bird names, finding amusement in mimicking birds like the Slaty-breasted rail. While the game was in full swing, a few members decided to explore the darkness outside. Within moments, they came across several geckos, including Aravind’s gecko, and even spotted a green vine snake. The excitement of these discoveries abruptly halted the game as everyone hurried to join in the exploration of the nocturnal wilderness.
A night of fun for wildlife enthusiasts doesn’t involve clubbing or dancing but rather exploring the wilderness. The enjoyable night kicked off with a leisurely walk along the trails, where the sight of the towering windmills casting their shadows against the night sky provided a unique perspective. Following the walk, dinner was served, accompanied by refreshing watermelon to beat the heat. Some participants, albeit reluctantly, had to depart for home, while others remained behind to continue exploring the wilderness under the cover of darkness.
Among those who stayed, there was hopeful anticipation of encountering the residents of the property, such as the Rusty spotted cat, Madras hedgehog, and Indian porcupine. During subsequent nighttime walks, a Saw-scaled viper was sighted, along with a wolf snake spotted on a tree and a large camel spider.
Throughout the night, the melodies of the Indian nightjar, Indian Thickknee, and Indian Scops Owl resonated through the darkness. A camera trap was strategically placed to monitor the nocturnal activities of the wildlife. To satisfy their thirst, some ventured out to procure ice creams, while others gradually settled down to engage in discussions about the current environmental situation. As dawn approached, a few individuals embarked on another walk, where they had the pleasure of observing Aravind’s gecko making frequent crossings along their path.
As the morning sun gradually emerged, the cheerful melodies of birds filled the air. A painted spurfowl graced a nearby rock with its elegant pose. For those who had stayed awake throughout the night, this serene sight served as the perfect start to a fresh morning. However, some individuals required a cup of coffee to kickstart their day. While they ventured out to fetch their morning brew, the rest of the group set out on a morning trek.
Donning uniform t-shirts provided by KNF, everyone embarked on the walk despite the intense heat of the early morning. Their enthusiasm to spot birds propelled them forward. Along the way, they were delighted to come across barred button quails. The surroundings were adorned with Barleria noctiflora, but the flowering period had been brief, and the plants were now adorned with seeds.
A ficus tree laden with ripe berries never fails to capture the attention of both birds and bird enthusiasts alike. The team was fortunate to come across one such tree, where they observed a flock of Red-vented bulbuls and Coppersmith barbets enjoying the bountiful feast. Nearby, Euphorbia tirucalli was in full bloom and few butterflies were spotted. With the sightings concluded, it was time to bid farewell and depart. This gathering had been a beautiful and memorable night for wildlife enthusiasts, leaving lasting memories for all involved.