Bird Walk at Bidre Lake (Bannerghatta Road), Bengaluru

  • Bengaluru
  • 5 July, 2026
  • Rahuldev Rajguru

About Bidre Lake

Bidre Lake, located off Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru, is a small but ecologically important freshwater wetland that serves as a refuge for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife amidst the city’s rapidly expanding urban landscape. Surrounded by patches of grassland, scrub vegetation, and scattered trees, the lake supports both resident and migratory bird species throughout the year. Waterbirds such as herons, egrets, cormorants, kingfishers, and jacanas are commonly observed along its margins, while raptors, bee-eaters, sunbirds, and other terrestrial birds make use of the surrounding habitats. The diversity of microhabitats within and around the lake makes it an attractive site for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Beyond its importance for birds, Bidre Lake plays a vital ecological role by supporting aquatic biodiversity, regulating local hydrology, and providing habitat for amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, dragonflies, and numerous aquatic invertebrates. The wetland contributes to groundwater recharge and acts as a natural buffer during periods of heavy rainfall. Despite increasing urbanisation around Bannerghatta Road, the lake continues to function as a valuable green space, offering opportunities for environmental education, biodiversity monitoring, and citizen science. Continued conservation and habitat management are essential to ensure that Bidre Lake remains a thriving ecosystem for both wildlife and the local community.

Bird Guide: Rahuldev Rajguru

With over 25 years in software and entrepreneurship, he now focuses on birding, wildlife photography, and conservation, while also writing to inspire people to connect with nature.

Bird walk Location

Common Birds of Bidre Lake

Bidre Kere supports a rich mix of wetland and garden birds, making it a rewarding birding destination on Bengaluru’s outskirts. The lake attracts waterbirds such as the Indian Spot-billed Duck, Little Grebe, Eurasian Coot, Grey-headed Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, and Oriental Darter, along with the Little Cormorant and Great Cormorant. Wading birds are well represented by the Black-headed Ibis, Indian Pond-Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, and Purple Heron, which frequent the shallows and reed edges. The Common Kingfisher and White-throated Kingfisher are regularly seen along the water’s edge, while the Asian Green Bee-eater and White-cheeked Barbet add colour to the surrounding trees. The Rose-ringed Parakeet, Wire-tailed Swallow, and Purple-rumped Sunbird round out the list, reflecting the lake’s value as a mosaic of open water, wetland vegetation, and garden habitat for both resident and migratory species.

Purple-rumped Sunbird
Wire-tailed Swallow
White-throated Kingfisher
Rose-ringed Parakeet
White-cheeked Barbet

Common Kingfisher
Asian Green Bee-eater
Purple Heron
Eurasian Coot
Gray-Headed Swamphen
White-Breasted Waterhen
Black-Winged Stilt
Red-Wattled Lapwing
Bronze-Winged Jacana
Little Grebe
Black-headed Ibis
Little Cormorant
Indian Pond Heron
Little Cormorant
Little Egret

Summary of Walk

Twenty enthusiastic participants joined the Ataavi bird walk at Bidre Kere, although four registered birders were unable to attend. The wetland offered excellent bird activity throughout the morning, resulting in an impressive checklist of 50 species. Participants enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and shared their observations while exploring one of Bengaluru’s productive birding locations. The diverse wetland habitat supported a wide range of waterbirds, reed-dwelling species, and woodland birds, making the outing engaging for both beginners and experienced birders.
Among the many memorable moments, the close sightings of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas stood out as a major highlight, allowing participants to appreciate their striking breeding plumage and elegant movements across floating vegetation. Another exciting observation was a large roosting colony of Black-crowned Night Herons, providing excellent opportunities to study their behaviour. Birders were also thrilled to record three different species of munias, demonstrating the habitat richness around the wetland. With 50 species recorded during the walk, Bidre Kere once again proved to be an exceptional birding destination where wetlands, grasslands, and surrounding vegetation combine to support an impressive diversity of birds throughout the monsoon season.
Number of Participants
0
ataavi-logo
ATAAVI Bird Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the avian diversity of India. Through advocacy, education and conservation efforts, we strive to increase awareness and appreciation for birds across communities.

About

Terms

Contact

© 2026 Ataavi. All rights reserved.
Scroll to Top