Bird Walk at Nalagandla Lake, Hyderabad

About Nalagandla

Located in the rapidly growing western suburbs of Hyderabad, Telangana, Nallagandla Lake is an important urban wetland that provides a valuable green refuge amid the city’s expanding landscape. The lake and its surrounding vegetation create a mosaic of open water, wetland edges, scrub and tree cover, offering space for aquatic life as well as a variety of birds and other urban wildlife. Despite being surrounded by development, the lake remains an important natural feature for the local environment and provides residents with an opportunity to experience nature close to the city.

Urban wetlands such as Nallagandla Lake play an important ecological role by supporting biodiversity, retaining water and providing feeding and resting areas for birds. Their importance becomes especially clear as cities expand and natural habitats become increasingly fragmented. Protecting the lake, maintaining its vegetation and water quality, and managing pressures from surrounding development are essential to ensure that this small but valuable urban ecosystem continues to support wildlife and remains a place where people can connect with nature.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Nalagandla

Nallagandla Lake supports a lively community of resident and wetland-associated birds, making it an interesting birding spot within Hyderabad. The surrounding trees and scrub attract colourful species such as the Purple-rumped Sunbird, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Indian White-eye, Coppersmith Barbet, Asian Green Bee-eater and Small Minivet, while the lake itself provides habitat for Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter and White-breasted Waterhen. Other sightings, including the Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Babbler, Red-vented Bulbul, White-browed Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, Common Tailorbird, Black Drongo, Common Iora, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-throated Kingfisher, Asian Palm Swift, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Asian Koel, Blue-faced Malkoha, Spotted Dove and Indian Peafowl, demonstrate the diversity of habitats around the lake. These observations highlight how even an urban wetland can provide important feeding, nesting and sheltering opportunities for a surprisingly rich bird community.

Summary of Walk

Nalagandla Lake in Hyderabad hosted a well-attended bird walk on 12 September, with 24 participants led by Dr Gaurav J Kumar and Kabir Kumar. The group was a diverse mix, including a senior citizen couple who travelled from Nagpur, a birder who came from Delhi, and the rest from Hyderabad itself, all gathering for a 6 am start.
Over the next three hours, the group spotted and photographed 32 species, with the Baya Weaver, Asian Green Bee-eater, and resident Peacocks among the highlights. Kids attending the walk were given special attention throughout. The guides also led discussions on bird habitat, food, breeding, and conservation, with particular focus on building mindful awareness of urban bird populations — turning the walk into both a birding and a learning experience for everyone involved.

Number of Participants

Bird Walk at Nalagandla Lake, Hyderabad

About Nalagandla

Bird Guide: Dr Gaurav J Kumar and Kabir Kumar

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Nalagandla

Purple-rumped Sunbird

Pale-billed Flowerpecker

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher

Yellow-billed Babbler

Indian White-eye

Red-vented Bulbul

White-browed Bulbul

Ashy Prinia

Common Tailorbird

Black Drongo

Common Iora

Black-headed Cuckooshrike

Small Minivet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Coppersmith Barbet

White-throated Kingfisher

Asian Green Bee-eater

Little Cormorant

Oriental Darter

White-breasted Waterhen

Summary of Walk

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