Bird Walk at ELCOT Lake (Perumbakkam), Chennai, TN

About (ELCOT Lake) Perumbakkam

The ELCOT Lake Perumbakkam is one of the important remaining wetland landscapes within the rapidly urbanising southern part of Chennai. Located along the Old Mahabalipuram Road and surrounded by the neighbourhoods of Perumbakkam, Sholinganallur and Medavakkam, the marshland forms part of the Pallikaranai wetland ecosystem. Its mosaic of shallow wetlands, open water, marshy vegetation, grasslands and seasonal inundated areas provides habitat for a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

The marsh is particularly significant for birdwatching, supporting resident wetland birds as well as migratory species that use the landscape during their seasonal movements. Open waters and marshy edges attract herons, egrets, ibises, ducks, waders and kingfishers, while the surrounding scrub and grassland provide habitat for smaller passerines and raptors. Despite its ecological importance, the wetland faces considerable pressure from urban expansion, habitat fragmentation, pollution, invasive vegetation and changes in water flow. Protecting the remaining marshland and maintaining its natural hydrology are essential for conserving Chennai’s wetland biodiversity. For birdwatchers, the Perumbakkam–Sholinganallur marsh remains an important urban refuge and an excellent place to experience the city’s wetland birdlife.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Perumbakkam

The Perumbakkam–supports a rich assemblage of wetland and grassland birds, highlighting the ecological importance of this urban wetland landscape. Its open waters and marshy edges provide suitable habitat for waterbirds such as Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot and Gray-headed Swamphen. Ducks including Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck and Indian Spot-billed Duck can also be found across the wetland, while waders such as Wood Sandpiper make use of shallow water and muddy margins. Larger wetland birds including Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Glossy Ibis, Gray Heron, Purple Heron and various egrets add to the diversity. Indian Cormorant, Oriental Darter and Little Grebe are associated with the open water, while White-breasted Waterhen and Zitting Cisticola occupy marshy vegetation and grassland edges. Asian Palm Swift further adds to the bird diversity of the landscape. Together, these species demonstrate the importance of the marshland as a feeding, resting and breeding habitat for a variety of wetland birds within Chennai’s rapidly urbanising surroundings.