Bird walk at Kukkarahalli Lake, Mysuru
- Mysuru
- 12 September, 2026
- Kavya M
About Kukkarahalli Lake
Kukkarahalli Lake is a historic urban wetland located in the heart of Mysuru, Karnataka, surrounded by the University of Mysore campus and a well-established belt of trees and vegetation. The lake covers a substantial area and features open water, marshy edges, mudflats, and tree-lined banks, creating a variety of habitats for birds and other wildlife. Its location within the city makes it an important green refuge amid urban development and provides valuable ecosystem services such as groundwater recharge, temperature regulation, and support for urban biodiversity.
Kukkarahalli Lake is one of Mysuru’s well-known birding destinations and supports a diverse community of resident and migratory birds. The combination of open water and surrounding woodland allows birdwatchers to observe waterbirds as well as species associated with trees, shrubs, and grassland. Early mornings are particularly rewarding for birdwatching, while the winter season can bring additional migratory ducks, waders, and other visitors. The lake also serves as an important recreational and educational space, offering opportunities for nature walks, birdwatching, photography, and environmental awareness within the city.
Bird Guide - Kavya M
She is a passionate birder from Mysuru, has been exploring the city’s rich avian life for many years. Love watching birds and helping others notice the small wonders around them
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Kukkarahalli Lake
Common birds observed around Kukkarahalli Lake include Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Grebe, Purple Swamphen, Common Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen, Bronze-winged Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Red-wattled Lapwing, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Black Drongo, Indian Roller, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-cheeked Barbet, Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Purple Sunbird, Ashy Prinia, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Indian Robin, Common Myna, Jungle Myna, House Sparrow, Spotted Dove, and Black Kite. During winter, the lake may also attract migratory ducks, waders, wagtails, and other seasonal waterbirds, making it a particularly rewarding site for birdwatching.
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Indian Peafowl
Eurasian Moorhen
Eurasian Coot
Gray-headed Swamphen
White-breasted Waterhen
Red-wattled Lapwing
Little Grebe
Black-headed Ibis
Indian Grey Hornbill
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Common Tailorbird
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Grey Francolin
Spotted Dove
Greater Coucal
Asian Koel
Little Swift
Bronze-winged Jacana
Little Cormorant
Summary of Walk
Kukkarahalli Lake in Mysuru hosted a sharp-eyed bird walk on 12 September with 8 participants led by guide Kavya M. The session began with the group spotting two types of cormorants side by side — the larger Great Cormorant and the smaller Little Cormorant — a perfect opportunity to learn how size, bill shape, and posture aid identification.
The Oriental Darter also featured among the highlights, and participants were especially curious about raptors, spending time observing flight patterns, tail shapes, and soaring styles to tell a kite from an eagle. The unexpected stars of the walk, though, were not birds at all — two turtles basking calmly on a log and a striking snake sighting stole plenty of attention, proving once again that Kukkarahalli’s wetland always has a few surprises in store beyond its birdlife.
Number of Participants
0
