Bird Walk at Pallom Kottayam, Kerala
- Kottayam
- 2 August, 2026
- Narendran MM
About Pallom, Kottayam
Pallom, located near Kottayam in Kerala, is surrounded by an intricate network of rivers, canals, paddy fields, marshes, and freshwater wetlands that form part of the region’s rich backwater ecosystem. The area’s lush vegetation, aquatic habitats, and tree-lined waterways support an exceptional diversity of birds, fish, amphibians, and other wildlife. Its peaceful wetland landscapes make Pallom a rewarding destination for birdwatching, photography, and experiencing Kerala’s unique natural heritage.
The wetlands of Pallom provide essential breeding, feeding, and roosting habitats for numerous resident waterbirds, while migratory species arrive during the winter to further enrich the region’s biodiversity. Like many wetlands across Kerala, these habitats face threats from urbanisation, pollution, wetland reclamation, and habitat disturbance. Protecting these interconnected freshwater ecosystems is crucial for conserving the rich birdlife they support.
Bird Guide: Narendran M M
He is an experienced naturalist with over 18 years of expertise, having worked at renowned wildlife lodges across India, including Gokarna and Kabini (Karnataka), Satpura and Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh), Corbett (Uttarakhand), and Gir (Gujarat). He is passionate about wildlife interpretation, birdwatching, and creating engaging nature experiences that inspire conservation.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Pallom
Pallom is an outstanding wetland birding destination where canals, ponds, and paddy fields support a remarkable diversity of aquatic and woodland birds. Visitors can observe Oriental Darters, Little and Indian Cormorants, Purple Herons, Indian Pond-Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, Lesser Whistling Ducks, Indian Spot-billed Ducks, Purple Swamphens, Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, and Brahminy Kites around the wetlands. The surrounding trees are home to White-throated and Stork-billed Kingfishers, Black Drongos, Ashy Woodswallows, Asian Koels, Rose-ringed Parakeets, Red-vented Bulbuls, and House Crows, making Pallom one of Kottayam’s finest locations for observing Kerala’s vibrant wetland birdlife.
Asian Koel
Black Drongo
Black-crowned Night Heron
Brahminy Kite
Bronze-winged Jacana
House Crow
Indian Cormorant
Indian Pond-Heron
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Lesser Whistling Duck
Little Cormorant
Oriental Darter
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Purple Heron
Red-vented Bulbul
Purple Swamphen
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Stork-billed Kingfisher
White-throated Kingfisher
Ashy woodswallow
Summary of Walk
On 2 August, a bird walk was held at Pallom, a wetland-rich stretch in Kottayam, Kerala, known for its mix of open water, mudflats, and marshy vegetation that attracts a wide variety of resident waterbirds. Guided by Narendran M M, eight participants, many of them first-time birders, spent the morning exploring the area and came away with a memorable introduction to birding. The group recorded an impressive 25 species, with the Cotton Pygmy Goose, Brahminy Kite, and Oriental Darter standing out as the top highlights of the walk.
Other notable sightings included Little Cormorants, White-throated and Stork-billed Kingfishers, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Plain Prinia, Lesser Whistling Duck, Baya Weaver, Purple Heron, and Indian Pond Heron. A particular highlight was witnessing active nesting behaviour, with an Oriental Darter on its nest and Little Cormorants both nesting and feeding nearby, giving participants a rare glimpse into breeding activity. Overall, the walk offered a rewarding mix of species diversity and behavioural observations, leaving the group, especially the newcomers, enthusiastic about birding and eager to return to Pallom for future outings.
Number of Participants
0
