Bird Walk at Saul Kere, Bengaluru
- Bengaluru
- 4 July, 2026
- Ghautham R.R.
About Saul Kere
Tucked away in the heart of southeast Bengaluru, Saul Kere is a thriving urban wetland that has transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant biodiversity hotspots. Once a neglected lake, it has been steadily revived through community efforts and now supports a remarkable diversity of life — over 214 species of birds, alongside butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and a rich wetland flora. From resident waterbirds like Purple Swamphens and Spot-billed Ducks to winter migrants such as Garganeys and Marsh Harriers, the lake teems with avian activity throughout the year.
Spread across nearly 61 acres, Saul Kere features open water, reed beds, marshy patches, and tree-lined bunds that create diverse habitats for wildlife. Its wetlands not only attract birdwatchers, photographers, and walkers, but also serve as a crucial stopover for migratory species navigating the Central Asian Flyway. For the local community, the lake offers both a peaceful refuge amidst Bengaluru’s urban sprawl and a vital outdoor classroom for environmental learning.
Ecologically, Saul Kere plays an indispensable role in the city’s health — moderating floods, aiding groundwater recharge, improving air quality, and acting as a green lung for surrounding neighborhoods. It stands today as a testament to the power of ecological restoration and citizen participation in conserving urban lakes.
Bird Guide: Ghautham R.R.
Widlife photographer with a strong passion for observing, identifying, and documenting avian species in their natural habitats. Skilled in bird behavior observation, field tracking, and wildlife photography, with a commitment to conservation and educating others about birdlife.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Saul Kere
Saul Kere, one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant urban wetlands, combines open waters, reedbeds, and wooded bunds to host an exceptional range of birdlife. Its marshes are alive with Gray-headed Swamphens, Eurasian Moorhens, Coots, and White-breasted Waterhens, while the floating vegetation supports Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas alongside Red-wattled Lapwings. Little Grebes dive in the open waters, Oriental Darters and cormorants fish with ease, and large waterbirds like Painted Storks, Spot-billed Pelicans, Black-headed Ibises, and Asian Openbills forage in the shallows. The edges of the lake attract herons and egrets in variety, from the small Pond-Heron and Little Egret to the stately Purple, Gray, and Great Herons. Raptors such as the Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Shikra, and Black-winged Kite are often seen circling above, while swallows, swifts, and martins skim gracefully across the water.
The surrounding scrub and wooded patches add further richness, supporting a chorus of Rose-ringed and Alexandrine Parakeets, barbets, bulbuls, babblers, and mynas. Insectivores like the Common Tailorbird, Ashy and Plain Prinias, Indian White-eye, and Oriental Magpie-Robin thrive in the undergrowth, while open patches host Indian Robins, Pied Bushchats, wagtails, and pipits. Nectar-feeders such as Purple-rumped and Purple Sunbirds and the Pale-billed Flowerpecker flit among flowering trees, while Scaly-breasted Munias gather in grasslands. With this lively mix of wetland specialists and woodland birds, Saul Kere offers a compact yet diverse birding experience, making it one of Bengaluru’s most rewarding spots for both seasoned birdwatchers and casual visitors.
Little Cormorant
Oriental Darter
Grey-headed Swamphen
White-throated Kingfisher
Spot-billed Pelican
Little Grebe
Indian Pond Heron
Little Egret
Red-wattled Lapwing
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Bronze-winged Jacana
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Common Kingfisher
Brahminy Kite
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Black Drongo
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Summary of Walk
The Ataavi bird walk at Saul Kere brought together 22 enthusiastic participants for a rewarding morning exploring one of Bengaluru’s most important urban wetlands. The walk showcased the incredible diversity that thrives around the lake, with participants recording an impressive 40 bird species across wetland, woodland, and scrub habitats. The waterbody was bustling with activity, offering excellent views of Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Eurasian Coot, and Eurasian Moorhen, while Black Kite and Brahminy Kite soared overhead. The surrounding vegetation added another layer of diversity with sightings of Purple Sunbird, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Ashy Prinia, Common Tailorbird, Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Flameback, Asian Tit, and Indian Peafowl.
Several memorable sightings made the morning particularly special. The striking Grey-headed Swamphen emerged as one of the standout birds, while the iridescent Glossy Ibis delighted participants as it fed in the wetlands. Birders also enjoyed close views of the Common Flameback and the bold Black Drongo, while smaller species such as the Pale-billed Flowerpecker and Greenish Warbler added excitement for more experienced observers. With a remarkable variety of habitats packed into a single location, Saul Kere once again demonstrated why it remains one of Bengaluru’s finest urban birding hotspots, offering beginners and seasoned birders alike an enriching experience.
Number of Participants
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