Bird Walk at Sengulam Lake, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Coimbatore
- 12 September, 2026
- Kavin Kumar
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
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
Kavin Kumar is an enthusiastic birder and wildlife photographer with 3 years of field experience. He has good knowledge of bird identification, behaviour and habitats, and actively participates in birding and nature exploration activities. He also serves as the Student Volunteer Head of TREE NGO.
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.
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Indian Peafowl
Grey Francolin
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Greater Coucal
Asian Koel
Asian Palm Swift
Little Ringed Plover
Common Sandpiper
Eurasian Coot
Grey-headed Swamphen
White-breasted Waterhen
Black-winged Stilt
Red-wattled Lapwing
Whiskered Tern
Asian Openbill
Oriental Darter
Little Cormorant
Summary of Walk
Sengulam Lake in Coimbatore hosted a wonderfully productive bird walk on 12 September, with 20 participants led by guide Kavin Kumar. The group recorded an impressive 46 species through both direct sightings and bird calls, enjoying a rich mix of resident and migratory birds in their natural habitat.
The major highlights included a Western Reef Heron — a genuinely rare sighting for the area — along with the shy and elusive Greater Painted-Snipe, which is not easily observed at this location. A Green Sandpiper, a winter migrant, added seasonal interest, while a Pied Kingfisher stole the show with a spectacular fishing display, giving participants an exciting close-up view of its hunting technique. It was a memorable morning that showcased the depth of birdlife Sengulam Lake supports.
Number of Participants
0
