A Sunbird’s Safari through Fast Forests.

This blog is written by wildlife photographer Sriram Reddy. Reach him at @sriram.wildlife.photographer on Instagram.

A flash of colour, gone in a moment. Metallic gleam and chittering sounds, taking off from flowering trees but barely shaking their branches. Tiny bodies hidden conveniently amid petals, having a refreshing drink of nectar before flitting away to another flower.

As a wildlife photographer, I have spotted sunbirds at Woods Shamshabad multiple times during my Sunday bird walks. When the monsoon arrived this year, we had regular sightings of different types of sunbirds across the property, such as Purple sunbirds and Purple-rumped sunbirds. Essentially, what we’ve built is manufactured, so I wonder what attracts them to a Miyawaki forest.

Feels like a Natural Forest.

An abundance of flowering trees at Woods Shamshabad makes it a habitable space for several ecological species. Sunbirds, for instance, thrive off the nectar from flowers, which is a primary source of nutrition. The dense foliage of evergreen trees and shrubs gives them shelter and space to build nesting sites and raise their young- which are far too tiny to survive anywhere else in the wild.

While the Miyawaki forest can serve as a habitat for insects, birds, and fruiting and flowering trees, one may be sceptical towards its ability to emulate the nuances of natural forests. Deep jungles and forests rarely see encroachment and exist untouched by humans.

To our joy, the sunbirds have taken really well to human intervention in their new home! Despite thinking this is a forest and coming back season after season, the development of this project has not deterred the sunbird population.

Their feeding habits cause cross-pollination and seed distribution, hereby increasing genetic diversity. Who would have thought sunbirds would be accidental gardeners?

Know Your Sunbird

Male Purple Sunbirds have iridescent metallic purple plumage on their head, throat, and chest. They are captivating and have a distinct yellow breast, while female purple sunbirds and purple-rumped sunbirds have a subdued and unassuming appearance. The only difference is that female purple-rumped sunbirds have greyish-coloured throats, as opposed to the yellow throats of female purple sunbirds.

A Sustainable and Thriving Ecosystem.

Sunbirds help maintain a balance between plants and other organisms, including insects and other bird species. This balance is crucial for the overall health and sustainability of the Miyawaki forest.

Meanwhile, the Miyawaki forest reciprocates with all the advantages of a mature forest. Even in summer, Stonecraft Woods Shamshabad has been cooler than the city by at least 4°C. This is enjoyed by the bees, butterflies, and birds that are drawn by the diverse array of flowering trees.

The Miyawaki forest creation method advocated by Akira Miyawaki emphasizes using indigenous plant species. The approach combines native flora, including flowering plants, shrubs, and tall trees, to establish the World's Largest Miyawaki forest at Woods Shamshabad.

Join me on Sunday mornings as I take you through the forest, and let's spot some unique sightings together!