Bird Walk at Jakkur Lake Bengaluru

Name: Bird Walk at Jakkur Lake Bengaluru
Start: 2026-10-04T07:00:00+05:30
End: 2026-10-04T09:00:00+05:30

About Jakkur Lake

In north Bengaluru, near Yelahanka and the old Jakkur aerodrome, Jakkur Lake spreads across about 160 acres. It is one of the city’s best-known examples of a lake that has been restored. Here, treated water from a sewage plant passes through a constructed wetland of reeds and marsh plants before it flows into the lake. That natural filter helps clean the water and recharges groundwater in the surrounding neighbourhoods. The lake mixes open water, reedbeds, shallow muddy edges, grassy bunds and tree-lined walking paths. It supports fish, frogs, turtles and dragonflies, and local fisherfolk still depend on it. For years, a citizens’ group has worked alongside the authorities to look after the lake.

For birders, Jakkur is one of the best wetlands in north Bengaluru. Large flocks of cormorants, darters and grebes fish the open water. Ibises, herons, egrets and stilts feed along the shallows, and Brahminy Kites circle over the lake in impressive numbers. The trees along the bund are full of barbets, ioras, treepies and prinias, and winter brings migrant ducks, waders and warblers. The pressures are growing, though. Untreated sewage still enters the lake at times, and weeds spread quickly. The catchment is being built over, and heavy construction, dumping and concrete along the edges threaten the reeds and marshes that birds depend on. Jakkur’s recovery shows what community care can achieve. Keeping the wetland buffers, the reeds and the water quality intact will keep this lake a haven for Bengaluru’s birds.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Jakkur Lake

At Jakkur Lake, the Oriental Darter, often called the “snakebird”, swims with only its thin, snake-like neck showing above the water. It then perches with its wings spread wide to dry. Great, Indian and Little Cormorants gather in big fishing parties. Dozens of Little Grebes dive and pop back up across the lake, and rafts of Indian Spot-billed Ducks and Eurasian Coots float on the open water. Glossy Ibises, shining bronze and green, probe the shallows beside Black-headed Ibises with their long, curved bills. Black-winged Stilts step delicately on pink legs, and Red-wattled Lapwings keep a noisy watch on the bunds. The reeds hide the more secretive birds. The Little Heron waits motionless at the water’s edge, the Black-crowned Night Heron sleeps until dusk, and Gray-headed Swamphens and White-breasted Waterhens move through the marsh. Gray Herons and Little Egrets hunt patiently, while a tiny Common Kingfisher streaks past in a flash of turquoise. Overhead, Brahminy Kites circle in remarkable numbers, and a Shikra hunts from the trees. On the bund, the White-cheeked Barbet calls steadily and the Common Iora whistles from the leaves.