Bird Walk at Sengulam Lake, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

About Sengulam Lake

Sengulam Lake, also known as Chengulam Reservoir, is a scenic mountain reservoir located near Munnar in Idukki district, Kerala. Set amid the rolling hills and valleys of the Western Ghats, the lake forms part of the Sengulam Hydroelectric Project and lies within a landscape of lush vegetation, tea plantations and forested slopes. The reservoir was created across the Sengulam stream, a tributary of the Muthirapuzha River, and its calm waters and surrounding hills create a striking setting for nature lovers and visitors exploring the Munnar region.

The lake and its surrounding landscape offer a peaceful escape from the busy tourist centres of Munnar, with panoramic views of the Western Ghats and opportunities to experience the region’s natural beauty. The area is particularly attractive for nature walks, photography, boating and birdwatching, as the combination of open water, vegetation and wooded hills provides habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife. Located around 14 km from Munnar, Sengulam is also an accessible gateway to the quieter landscapes around Anachal and Vellathooval, making it a rewarding stop for those interested in exploring Kerala’s mountain ecosystems

Bird Guide: Kavin- TREE NGO

She is an ardent birdwatcher with seven years of experience and a special knack for identifying birds by their calls. She enjoys taking friends on nature walks and introducing them to the fascinating world of birds. Armed with her spotting scope, which proudly travels with her wherever she goes, she loves finding, observing and documenting birds in every new place she visits. She also runs a YouTube channel dedicated to birds, The Quiet Lifist, where she shares her passion for the avian world.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Sengulam Lake

Sengulam Lake is a rewarding birding destination in the Western Ghats, where open water, wooded slopes and surrounding vegetation support a remarkable variety of wetland and terrestrial birds. The lake is particularly impressive for waterbirds, with large numbers of Indian Cormorants, Oriental Darters and Wood Sandpipers recorded alongside Glossy Ibis, Asian Openbills, Little Cormorants, herons, egrets and several shorebirds. Species such as Black-winged Stilt, Red-wattled Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Temminck’s Stint add movement along the water’s edge, while Lesser Whistling-Ducks, Indian Spot-billed Ducks, Eurasian Coots and Gray-headed Swamphens make use of the lake itself. Above and around the reservoir, Blue-tailed and Asian Green Bee-eaters, Brahminy Kite, Booted Eagle, Asian Palm Swift and Greater Coucal add to the diversity, making Sengulam an excellent place to experience both mountain and wetland birdlife.