Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve

Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve is located in Tumkur district of Karnataka, India. It was also formerly called the Maidenahalli Blackbuck Reserve. As the name suggests it is a notified Protected Area and is home to a good number of Blackbucks.  To confess, it was not the wish to see Blackbucks that drew me to the Reserve. Rather it was the birds that one would get to see. But when I got to see the Blackbucks, there was no missing their beauty. They are majestic, especially the full grown adults. So I am going to dedicate the first part of this blog post to them. It also helped that I got to see more of Blackbucks than the birds in my first trip to the Reserve 🙂 .

The Blackbucks are also known as the Indian Antelope and is native to and  found mainly in India. It was widespread formerly. However it is now seen largely confined to the Protected Areas. The drive from Bangalore to the Reserve is mostly on good roads, except for the last stretch which is patchy. The drive through the Reserve is on a unsealed road (dry mud road). The actual Reserve is itself not too large. The area around it is a vast grassland  with patches of dry scrub; ideal habitat for the Blackbucks and the birds that I was hoping to see. But hey, the Blackbucks first, remember!

The first Blackbuck that I got to see was not far from the start of the unsealed road that lead to the Reserve entrance, its head just visible above the grass.

They are wary of humans if one tries to get close to them on foot. But they seemed more tolerant  if one is in a vehicle. Thankfully I got to see several of them quite close to the road going through to the Reserve. Here are some of the photos that I captured of them.

Here is a picture of a herd with a male and some females.

I got to spend some time observing the herd. During this I saw an interesting behaviour; periodically the dominant male would go and chase some of the females in the herd. I could not determine what it was for. I guess even in nature the ladies make the gents run around 🙂 .

He also made sure that any members of the herd if seen wandering away were promptly “herded” back in. We saw one of the females wander and walk towards where we had parked on the road. The male certainly did not like it. Very soon he was seen walking towards us and had the female safely back in the herd.

Here is a video that I compiled on the beautiful Blackbucks across few of my trips.

 

 

 

Now for the birds! The area in and around the Reserve is mainly a grassland along with parts of dry scrub. The place is considered to be an ideal habitat for birds such as Harriers, Kestrels, Sandgrouse, Quails and Courser. It does take some patience, perseverance and of course good luck to see them. But it is all worth it when you do get to see them. Here are some of the birds that I have seen during my trips there:

It is one of the places where there are good chances of being able to see the Yellow Wattled Lapwings.

I was also luckily to see their courtship during one of the visits. You can see it in the virtual tour video that I have included below in this blog.

Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve is one of the places in Karnataka where one has a chance of seeing the Marshall’s (aka White-tailed) Iora. I am however yet to seen one from there. It is also a place where one can get the Rufous-fronted Prinia. I must warn you that they are not numerous and  not that easy to get. But as I said earlier patience and perseverance is the name of the game when it comes to wildlife 🙂 .

The Reserve is also home to other creatures like the one below. It is amazing just how camouflaged they can be. I had just chanced to see this one because it moved briefly when I was walking.

I have seen mammals such as the Indian Fox and the Indian Grey Mongoose also during my visits.

Virtual Tour

Here is a brief virtual tour to give you a glimpse of the place.

 

 

 

Recommendations

It is a great place to visit; for the Blackbucks, birds, place, the lot! You have to be patient with the place. Do not expect to see all your target species in one trip.

Though the actual Reserve itself is not a very large area, do not just focus your time just within it. From my experience, most of what I have seen have been outside the Reserve area. So keep observing all the way from the main road. Do explore the the tracks off the main path. Many of my sightings have been from doing so. But do be careful and watchful. There may be young ones walking around. So be careful not to hurt or alarm them.

There is no decent places to eat in and around the Reserve. So I would recommend taking some food along for the trip especially as you will need to spend several hours. Take plenty of water as well. There is a watch tower and a patio-like building which offers shade and a place to sit and have your food overlooking the Reserve.

Take a hat. The sun can be strong even during the winter season.

 

If you liked the post then click on the “Like” button below and do consider following my blog. I would also love to hear  your thoughts. Maybe you have seen Blackbucks elsewhere or have fond memories of visits that you have made to other Nature Reserves. Do leave comments below to let me know.