Bird Walk at Doddakallasandra Lake, Bengaluru, Karnataka

About Doddakallasandra Lake

Doddakallasandra Lake, situated off Kanakapura Road in the southern precinct of Bengaluru, covers a micro-watershed area of approximately 21 to 25 acres. Over the years, the lake has been the focus of intense community-led rejuvenation efforts to battle urbanization, siltation, and sewage inflows. These restoration initiatives have successfully revived its water-holding capacity and restored a crucial active wetland ecosystem, turning the lake into a critical urban sink for rainwater harvesting and local groundwater recharge in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The revitalized habitat hosts a surprisingly diverse array of urban flora and fauna. Its fringes are punctuated by native trees, shore grasses, and aquatic plants that offer excellent nesting sites and cover for wildlife. The lake serves as a vibrant urban refuge for resident and migratory birds, where birdwatchers regularly spot species like the Spot-billed Pelican, Little Cormorant, White-breasted Waterhen, and various kingfishers and herons. Beyond the avian activity, the balanced aquatic ecosystem supports multiple freshwater fish species, butterflies, and amphibians, making it a precious pocket of biodiversity amidst Bengaluru’s rapid southern expansion.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Doddakallasandra Lake

With over 130 avian species recorded to date, Doddakallasandra Lake (Konanakunte Kere) serves as a bustling urban oasis that supports a remarkable variety of micro-habitats. The open waters and reed beds are consistently dominated by large aggregations of waterfowl and waders, including flocks of Lesser Whistling-Ducks, Eurasian Coots, Gray-headed Swamphens, and striking probing species like the Glossy Ibis and Pheasant-tailed Jacana. The lake’s perimeter, dense canopy, and scrub fringes are equally alive, providing territory for abundant groups of Jungle and Common Mynas, vocal residents like the Asian Koel, Greater Coucal, and White-cheeked Barbet, alongside insectivores such as the Common Tailorbird, Plain Prinia, and the elegant Indian Paradise-Flycatcher. Furthermore, the active ecosystem functions as a vital corridor for long-distance migratory insectivores like the Greenish Warbler, Booted Warbler, and Taiga Flycatcher, all while sustaining a formidable predatory network that includes the Brahminy Kite, Black-winged Kite, and even the apex Peregrine Falcon.