Bird Walk at Vellayini lake, Kireedam Palam, Trivandrum, Kerala
- Trivandrum
- 18 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 birders joined guide Malavika S Nair at Vellayani Lake in Thiruvananthapuram on 18 October for a walk that delivered a rich 41 species and two of the most exciting sightings of the season. The lake’s mix of open water, reeds, paddy margins and grassy edges is a wonderful habitat for birds, and the group explored each of these with enthusiasm. The highlights were the Baillon’s Crake, a tiny, secretive marsh bird that slips through the reeds like a shadow and is a prize for any birdwatcher, and the Yellow Bittern, a beautiful reed-dwelling heron whose golden-buff plumage blends so well with its surroundings that a good sighting feels like a reward for patience. Around them, herons, egrets, whistling ducks and waders went about their morning routines, and the group enjoyed learning to separate similar species by their shapes, bills and behaviour. Malavika guided the walk with warmth and enthusiasm, helping participants learn how to use binoculars, how to find birds in the reeds and how to use the Ataavi app to record their sightings. She also spoke about the importance of Vellayani’s wetland habitat and the value of conservation in a place that is home to so many species. With twenty participants, the walk had a lively and friendly atmosphere, and every discovery was shared with delight. The combination of a rich habitat, an expert guide and a curious group made the morning a pleasure, and participants left with new species on their lists, great photographs and a deeper bond with the lake. It was a lovely example of how a wetland walk can turn a morning into a memory.
Number of Participants
0
