Bird Walk at Pallom, Kottayam, Kerala
- Kottayam
- 6 September, 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
Ataavi’s 6 September 2026 walk at Pallom in Kottayam brought together six participants, for many of whom this was their first-ever guided birding experience, led by guide Narendran MM. Kids in the group especially enjoyed exploring nature alongside the adults, adding a joyful, family-friendly atmosphere to the walk through Pallom’s waterside habitat and backwater-fed greenery. The group recorded 34 species over the course of the morning, a wonderful introduction to the area’s birdlife for newcomers and families alike. The waterside setting, threaded with backwaters and greenery, gave the group plenty of close, unhurried encounters throughout the walk.
Highlights included the Oriental Darter, Stork-billed Kingfisher, and a Baya Weaver seen actively building its nest. The group also spotted Purple Heron, Lesser Whistling Duck, Brahminy Kite, Black-hooded Oriole, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Little Cormorant, and Indian Pond Heron. A Cormorant seen fishing was another standout moment. For a group experiencing guided birding for the first time, the walk at Pallom offered a wonderfully immersive introduction to Kottayam’s rich birdlife. Narendran’s patient explanations made the walk especially accessible for the children in the group, several of whom said it was their favourite outdoor activity in recent memory. The Baya Weaver’s nest-building was a particular favourite among the younger participants, who watched closely for several minutes, leaving the whole group eager to return to Pallom for another walk soon.
Number of Participants
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