Meera Bhardwaj @ Hampi:
The Mohammadan Watch Tower at Hampi, Karnataka is a haven for many varieties of birds. Located in the ruins of the World Heritage Site of Hampi in Vijayanagar district of Karnataka, it is a peaceful oasis for many bird species.
Once can see a variety of birds feeding and nesting in this historical monument that dates back to the golden rule of Krishnadevaraya. He was the most famous emperor of the Vijayanagar dynasty who ruled from 1509-1529.
In and around the city of Hampi, there are a lot of watch towers which was once used as a military post or maybe, a post for guards but the one at Dandanayaka’s Enclosure – the Mohammadan Watch Tower is the best for breeding of bird species.
ANIMAL MOTIFS
Further, the ruins of the Mohammadan Watch Tower are embellished with bird and animal motifs denoting the existence of the species found in those days.
In the ruins of these monuments which hardly sees any visitors, one can see the carvings of many a wildlife included domestic animals which were used during those days.
The carvings on the walls are intricate and they include water birds, fishes, elephants, horses, camels, etc. Some carvings of animals cannot be identified as it is badly damaged. Further, there is need to study animal motifs on temple walls and monuments of different periods across India to enable us to know which species lived and thrived 500 to thousands of years ago.
SCRUB FOREST HABITAT
As we traversed across the habitat that is basically a scrub forest with patches of grasslands, we found many species like parakeets, owls, doves, jungle mynas, babblers and kingfishers.
The calm and serene surroundings have helped the birds in finding an ideal habitat, an undisturbed and peaceful shelter amidst the towering ruins of the Vijayanagar dynasty.
Speaking to Green Minute News, avid birder and naturalist Pompayya Malemath from Kamlapur said, “This is a beautiful bird habitat sheltering many species found in the Deccan Plateau.”
“This is an undisturbed area and a protected monument and that is the reason, we see so much of bird activity here.”
Malemath added, “Hardly any tourists come here. With natural gaps in the outer walls and the watch towers, parakeets and spotted owlets have formed their nests here.”
“This ancient monument is a breeding ground for birds but if the natural gaps are filled, avian species will definitely be affected.”
DANDANAYAKA’S ENCLOSURE
On the outer walls of the Mohammadan Watch Tower at the Dandanayaka’s Enclosure, one can see many birds peacefully feeding and nesting.
But I found it very difficult to capture on the camera in the fading light. Since being a naturalist, I never use artificial light, so, I could not capture those beautiful images.
However, on camera, in the evening light, I could see one pair of rose ringed parakeets making close moves and exhibiting specific courtship and pair-bonding behaviour.
This was definitely the breeding season. These parakeets form monogamous pair bonds for the season but whether it is for life or that season, it is not clear.
ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET PAIR-BONDING
I could capture on camera this Rose-ringed Parakeet pair bonding beautifully with the male bonding with the female beak to beak.
This looking like pecking but it is basically the male feeding its mate with food and also for the offspring in the future.
This pair were also gently rubbing their beaks together and it clearly looked a clear case of demonstration of their affection.
Engaging in mutual affection, the male attracted the female’s attention by fanning its long attractive tail which is a significant part of the courtship ritual in parakeets.
However, keeping a close and angry watch on this lovey-dovey pair which were constantly engaged beak to beak, was another male.
This bird was at a little bit distance from the bonding pair and seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to take advantage. But alas! The affectionate pair of parakeets were in their own world preening to the hilt and least bothered by the competitor.
AVIAN DIVERSITY
Hundreds of rose ringed parakeets and plum headed parakeets have not only made their home inside the sprawling ancient ruins of Mohammadan Watch Tower at Dandanayaka’s Enclosure but also many other temples like Raghunath Temple and Varaha Temple in Hampi.
So, if one wants to do birding to see the birds of the Deccan Plateau, the Mohammadan Watch Tower ruins of the Hampi empire is one more place for birding communities.
Naturalist Srinivas Gowda A who took us around this monument said this is a beautiful landscape for birds and migratory birds can be seen by December end.
Apart from parakeets, spotted owlets, brown owl, silver bills, different types of munias and 3-4 varieties of kingfishers can be sighted here.
KINGFISHERS GALORE
Apart from this, there are lot of kingfishers in this protected monument of ancient times and I was able to sight the white throated kingfisher and the pied kingfisher.
However, I could not photograph the owls as it was too dark and they were roosting inside one of the crumbling walls of the Mohammadan Watch Tower at Dandanayaka’s Enclosure.
This is the largest and most detailed watch towers of all the ruins in the World Heritage Site of Hampi, Vijayanagar district in Karnataka.
During those bygone days, the main intent of the tower was to guard the Dandanayaka’s enclosure. But it is the most ornate monument of all the watch towers in Hampi – standing tall in all its glory.
BREATHTAKING VIEWS FROM TOWER
Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the Mohammadan Watch Tower open from morning 7 am till dusk and provides breathtaking views of the scenic rugged hills and flying birds but for that one has to climb the tower.
Located very close to the Hampi bus station, the Mohammadan watch tower falls in the inner district of the ancient city of Hampi and is part of the larger group of Hampi monuments.
(PHOTO CREDIT: ALL PHOTOS BY MEERA BHARDWAJ AT HAMPI)