Bird Walk at Muthanallur Lake, Bangalore, Karnataka
- Bangalore
- 31 May, 2026
- Rahuldev Rajguru
About Muthanallur Lake
Nestled along Bengaluru’s rapidly developing southeastern corridor, Muthanallur Lake is one of the region’s lesser-known yet ecologically important urban wetlands. Spread across a broad expanse of open water, reed beds, marshy edges, and scrub-covered bunds, the lake creates a diverse habitat that supports rich biodiversity throughout the year. Native grasses, aquatic plants, water lilies, and scattered trees such as neem, banyan, and acacia provide shelter for insects, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. During the monsoon and winter months, the lake transforms into a thriving refuge for birds, making it a favourite destination for birdwatchers and nature photographers. Calm mornings often reveal flocks of egrets, herons, cormorants, stilts, lapwings, and kingfishers feeding along the shallow waters, while migratory ducks and waders occasionally arrive during the cooler season. The combination of open skies, reflective waters, and surrounding greenery gives Muthanallur Lake a surprisingly wild character despite its proximity to Bengaluru’s urban sprawl.
Birding at Muthanallur Lake is especially rewarding because of the variety of wetland and woodland species found within a relatively compact landscape. The reeds frequently conceal moorhens, jacanas, bitterns, and crakes, while swallows and bee-eaters sweep low across the lake at dusk. Flowering trees around the lake attract sunbirds, barbets, orioles, and parakeets, creating a lively mix of colour and sound through the day. However, like many urban lakes in Bengaluru, Muthanallur faces increasing pressure from real estate expansion, sewage inflow, habitat fragmentation, invasive weeds, and plastic pollution. Shrinking buffer zones and disturbance from unregulated development threaten both water quality and bird nesting areas. Conservation efforts by local residents, citizen groups, and environmental volunteers now focus on lake rejuvenation, wetland protection, native tree planting, and promoting responsible eco-tourism. These initiatives are helping Muthanallur Lake remain not just a scenic escape for walkers and photographers, but also a valuable biodiversity hotspot within the city’s changing landscape.
Bird Guide: Rahuldev Rajguru
With over 25 years in software and entrepreneurship, he now focuses on birding, wildlife photography, and conservation, while also writing to inspire people to connect with nature.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Muthanallur Lake
Muthanallur Lake supports an impressive diversity of wetland and woodland birds, making it one of the rewarding birding locations along Bengaluru’s southeastern outskirts. A recent checklist recorded over 250 birds, with the calm waters hosting elegant Indian Spot-billed Duck, striking Oriental Darter, glossy flocks of Glossy Ibis, and the stately Black-headed Ibis moving through shallow marshes. Reed beds shelter colourful Gray-headed Swamphen and stealthy herons, including the Purple Heron and Indian Pond-Heron, while the lake edges echo with the calls of Red-wattled Lapwing. Open skies above the lake are patrolled by raptors such as the Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Black-winged Kite, and the impressive Oriental Honey-buzzard. Around the wooded patches, birdwatchers may encounter the vibrant Indian Roller, noisy flocks of Rose-ringed Parakeet, the prehistoric-looking Indian Gray Hornbill, and dazzling Pied Kingfisher and White-throated Kingfisher hunting over the water. Seasonal visitors such as the Pied Cuckoo add to the charm, while familiar urban species like Rock Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Asian Koel, and Little Swift ensure the lake remains lively throughout the day.
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Indian Peafowl
Spotted Dove
Red-wattled Lapwing
Greater Coucal
Pied Cuckoo
Asian Koel
Little Swift
White-cheeked Barbet
Black-rumped Flameback
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Small Minivet
Grey-headed Swamphen
Black Drongo
Oriental Darter
Glossy Ibis
Purple Heron
Indian White Eye
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Indian Grey Hornbill
Summary of Walk
The bird walk at Muthanallur Lake saw 17 registrations, with 10 participants attending, forming a small but highly enthusiastic and interactive group. Set within a dynamic landscape of wetlands, grasslands, and scrub on Bangalore’s outskirts, the location offered a perfect blend of accessibility and biodiversity. From the outset, participants were deeply engaged—asking thoughtful questions and actively participating in discussions—making the walk both educational and lively. The calm waterbody and surrounding vegetation supported a rich diversity of birdlife, and as the morning progressed, the group steadily built a strong understanding of bird identification through behaviour, calls, and field marks.
A total of 40 species were recorded, with several standout highlights elevating the experience. Participants observed three species of Munias, learning to distinguish between them, while Baya Weaver colonies actively building nests provided fascinating insights into avian architecture. The defining moment came with the sighting of the Indian Thick-knee, a rare species for this location, leaving the group thrilled. Muthanallur once again proved to be a unique hotspot—possibly the only site in Bangalore where four Munia species can be found, reinforcing its ecological significance.
Number of Participants
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