Bird Walk at Vellayini lake, Kireedam Palam, Trivandrum, Kerala
- Trivandrum
- 11 October, 2026
- Malavika S Nair
About Vellayini lake, Kireedam Palam
Tucked away near Kireedam Palam in Kerala, Vellayani Lake unfolds as a serene freshwater expanse where land and water blend into a rich mosaic of life. This shallow, rain-fed lake—one of the largest freshwater lakes in the region—supports a vibrant wetland ecosystem fringed with paddy fields, floating vegetation, and patches of reeds. Lotus blooms and water lilies dot the surface, while the surrounding landscape hosts coconut groves and moist deciduous vegetation. Together, these habitats create an ever-changing stage for a remarkable diversity of fauna, especially aquatic birds that thrive in the calm, nutrient-rich waters.
For birders, Vellayani is a quiet treasure. Early mornings reveal flocks gliding across misty waters and waders delicately probing the muddy edges. From resident breeders to seasonal visitors, the lake is alive with movement and calls. However, like many wetlands, it faces mounting pressures—urban expansion, agricultural runoff, invasive plant species, and water pollution threaten its ecological balance. Conservation efforts and responsible tourism are vital to preserve this delicate habitat, ensuring that the rhythms of birdlife and wetland ecology continue undisturbed for generations to come.
Bird Guide: Malavika S Nair
She is a researcher with over three years of experience in ornithological research and is currently working as a researcher at the Wildlife Institute of India – Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore. She has also worked on a vulture conservation project with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and has extensive fieldwork experience in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Beyond her research, she has volunteered in various forest and urban bird surveys across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Her fieldwork has involved bird identification, monitoring and biodiversity assessments across diverse habitats, contributing to wildlife research, ecological understanding and conservation efforts.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Vellayini lake, Kireedam Palam
The birdlife of Vellayani Lake is both diverse and enchanting, offering a blend of elegance, stealth, and spectacle. Tiny gems like the Cotton Pygmy-Goose glide effortlessly between floating vegetation, while the rhythmic calls of Lesser Whistling-Ducks echo across the water at dusk. Waders like Black-winged Stilts and Greater Painted-Snipes add grace to the muddy fringes, while jacanas—with their long toes—appear to walk on water among lotus leaves. Herons and ibises stand poised in patient stillness, and the sudden plunge of a Pied Kingfisher brings bursts of action to the calm surface. Whether it’s the secretive Cinnamon Bittern hiding in reeds or the striking Whiskered Terns skimming low over the water, each species adds a unique thread to the lake’s living tapestry.
Cotton Pygmy-Goose
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Indian Spot-Billed Duck
Little Grebe
Black-Winged Stilt
Pheasant-Tailed Jacana
Bronze-Winged Jacana
Asian Openbill
Black-Headed Ibis
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Eurasian Coot
Eurasian Moorhen
Grey-Headed Swamphen
Pied Kingfisher
Cinnamon Bittern
Greater Painted-Snipe
Whiskered Tern
Indian Pond-Heron
Brahminy Kite
Summary of Walk
Twenty-eight nature and bird enthusiasts came together with guide Malavika Nair at Vellayani Lake in Thiruvananthapuram on 11 October for the second walk of the weekend at this beautiful wetland, and the energy was wonderful. The group explored the rich birdlife of the lake and recorded 30 species. Highlights included the Common Snipe, a well-camouflaged wader that probes the soft mud with its long bill, and the Zitting Cisticola, a tiny grassland songster whose repeated calls and display flights gave everyone a lesson in listening. The Common Greenshank, standing tall and pale at the water’s edge, and the Siberian Stonechat, perched on the grasses, were among the migratory visitors that showed the season is well under way and that the lake is already welcoming travellers from far away. It was lovely to see everyone engaging with nature, learning about birds and sharing the joy of birdwatching. Malavika guided the group through the lake’s habitats, helping participants learn to separate waders by their bills, legs and feeding styles, and to recognise birds by sound as well as sight. Beginners were quick to pick up the basics, while the more experienced birders took the opportunity to practise their identification skills and to share what they know. The setting added to the pleasure, with open water, grassy margins and a gentle morning light, and by the end of the walk the group had formed a warm and curious community around the lake. Thank you to everyone who joined and made the walk memorable. It was a lovely way to close a weekend of bird walks in Kerala’s capital.
Number of Participants
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