Hornbill Nesting Watch

About this place

Hornbill Nesting Watch at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature-focused birdwatching experience centred on the nesting ecology of the Malabar grey hornbill in the forests of Shendurney, Kollam district. Located in the southern Western Ghats, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area established in 1984 and covering about 171 square kilometres. It forms part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve and contains tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and other forest habitats that support a diverse range of wildlife and bird species. The Malabar grey hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) is among the bird species officially recorded from the sanctuary, making the area relevant for birdwatchers interested in this Western Ghats species. Hornbill nesting is a specialised aspect of bird behaviour, and observing it requires patience, quiet movement and careful attention to the surrounding habitat. The nesting season provides an opportunity to learn about the breeding ecology of hornbills and the importance of mature forest trees and suitable cavities for nesting. Visitors should observe birds from an appropriate distance and avoid noise, disturbance or attempts to approach an active nest. Shendurney's wider forest ecosystem supports numerous other species, including elephants, leopards, gaur, sambar, wild boar, langurs and lion-tailed macaques, while its birdlife includes a variety of forest and wetland species. The sanctuary is also known for the rare Shendurney tree (Gluta travancorica), from which the protected area's name is derived. Nature-based programmes in Shendurney include birdwatching, trekking and other guided forest experiences, with activities subject to Forest Department regulations and prevailing conditions. The sanctuary's forest trails provide opportunities to observe birds and butterflies as well as the broader plant and animal life of the Western Ghats. A hornbill nesting watch is therefore best understood as a wildlife-observation experience rather than a guaranteed bird-sighting event; the presence and visibility of nesting birds depend on season, weather, habitat conditions and natural behaviour. The experience also highlights the importance of protecting forest habitats that support breeding birds and other wildlife. Visitors can gain a deeper appreciation of the ecological relationships within Shendurney by observing the forest quietly and responsibly. For bird enthusiasts, students, photographers and nature lovers, a Malabar grey hornbill nesting watch offers an opportunity to focus on one of the sanctuary's documented bird species while experiencing the biodiversity of a protected Western Ghats landscape.

🚆 Railway Thenmala Railway Station (nearest halt) / Punalur Railway Station (~21 km)

✈️ Airport Trivandrum International Airport (~74 km)

🚌 Bus Thenmala bus stop on the Kollam–Shencottah route; Punalur Bus Stand (~20 km)

🏨 Stay Thenmala Ecoresort / Thenmala Heritage / Shendurney forest camps (Rockwood, Idimuzhanganpara)

✅ Notes Hornbill Nesting Watch is inside Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary near Thenmala, where Great Indian Hornbills and Malabar grey hornbills nest, mainly from January to June. Entry is through the forest department.