Bird Walk at Kommaghatta Lake, Bengaluru
- Bengaluru
- 4 October, 2026
- Pradyumna V
About Kommaghatta Lake
Kommaghatta Lake in southwest Bangalore’s Kengeri-Kommaghatta area is a tranquil urban wetland that once spanned roughly 32–34 acres, offering a rare slice of nature amid the city’s expanding suburbs. The lake is a shallow freshwater habitat fringed by paths and greenery that invite morning walkers and nature lovers alike. Its shores and floating vegetation support a rich range of flora and fauna, with peri-urban biodiversity surveys recording among the highest species diversity of plants, birds, insects and aquatic life in Bangalore’s lakes. Around 30–38 bird species have been documented here, including northern shovelers, garganeys, herons, egrets, lesser whistling ducks, and resident passerines like sunbirds and bulbuls — making it a rewarding pocket of birding close to the city. Local enthusiasts also regularly spot cormorants, black-crowned night herons and other waterbirds feeding or resting on the water’s edge, while the mix of trees, shrubs, and emergent flora shelters butterflies, odonates and small fauna that add to the lake’s lively mosaic of life.
However, this ecological gem is under threat. Urban pressures have significantly impacted Kommaghatta Lake’s health, with untreated sewage, chemical runoff, garbage dumping, and development around the lake degrading water quality and reducing habitat value. These stressors have led to episodes of fish kills and foul odors that worry both residents and birders, and they blunt the lake’s ability to support diverse wildlife long-term. Community petitions and local activism have called on authorities to divert sewage, manage waste, and restore natural hydrology, but sustainable solutions are still evolving. Protecting Kommaghatta Lake — through better pollution control, habitat restoration, native planting, and mindful public engagement — is crucial if it is to remain a vibrant stopover for birds and a green refuge for people in Bangalore’s busy urban landscape.
Bird Guide: Pradyumna V
A 13 year old bird enthusiast with more than 5 years of birding and guiding experience. A citizen science contributor, currently developing a website on the birds of Karnataka.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Kommaghatta Lake
Kommaghatta Lake hosts a vibrant mix of resident, wetland, and migratory birds, making it a rewarding destination for birdwatchers of all levels. The open water and reed beds attract graceful waterfowl such as Lesser Whistling-Ducks, Northern Shovelers, and Indian Spot-billed Ducks, while rails and waterhens — including Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Gray-headed Swamphen, and White-breasted Waterhen — are often seen threading through floating vegetation. Waders like jacanas, lapwings, sandpipers, and marsh specialists forage along the muddy edges, sharing space with Little Grebes, Oriental Darters, and Little Cormorants that dive and dry their wings in the sun. Beyond the water, the surrounding scrub and trees echo with the calls of Asian Koels, Greater Coucals, doves, swifts, and even the occasional Indian Peafowl and Gray Francolin, adding color and character to the landscape. With over 165 bird species recorded, Kommaghatta Lake stands out as a surprisingly rich urban birding hotspot, where every visit offers the chance of new sightings and seasonal surprises.
Lesser Whistling Duck
Northern Shoveler
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Grey Francolin
Spotted Dove
Laughing Dove
Coppersmith Barbet
Greater Coucal
Eurasian Coot
Grey-headed Swamphen
White-breasted Waterhen
Bronze-winged Jacana
Common Sandpiper
Oriental Darter
Little Grebe
Little Cormorant
Glossy Ibis
Black-headed Ibis
Little Egret
Asian Koel
Summary of Walk
Eight birders joined guide Pradyumna V at Kommaghatta Lake in Bengaluru on 4 October for a morning walk that started at about 6:55 am with a wonderful atmosphere and turned out to be an especially memorable occasion, as it was the guide’s very first walk. The calm early light on the water created a peaceful backdrop, and the group went on to record 31 species. Among the early sightings were Glossy Ibises preening along the water’s edge, their dark feathers shimmering with bronze and green, and a Brahminy Kite swooping down to catch a fish, a spectacular piece of aerial hunting that drew gasps and applause. The highlight of the day was a pair of Bronze-winged Jacana chicks, tiny and delicate, stepping carefully across the floating vegetation on their enormous feet, and the participants watched them with great affection. Large flocks of Grey-headed Swamphens and Indian Pond Herons were on display, and Brahminy Kites circled above the lake in numbers, while the Oriental Darter and the Common Kingfisher added to the roll of memorable sightings. Pradyumna led the group with warmth and enthusiasm, sharing identification tips and explaining the behaviour of each species, and at the end of the walk every participant received an illustrated checklist as a keepsake. All the participants liked the walk, and the friendly, relaxed mood made it easy for newcomers to join in and ask questions. It was a delightful way to begin a guiding journey, and a lovely example of how a lake close to the city can offer a front-row seat to nature’s daily dramas, from hunting and feeding to the first steps of new life.
Number of Participants
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