Bird Walk at Mullur lake, Bangalore, Karnataka

  • Bengaluru
  • 16 August, 2026
  • Mehvish Khan

About Mullur Lake

Nestled on the southeastern edge of Bangalore, Mullur Lake is a quiet mosaic of open water, marshy fringes, and scrubby grasslands that together create a surprisingly rich urban wilderness. The lake’s seasonal water levels shape its character—during monsoons, it expands into a thriving wetland, while in drier months, exposed mudflats and grassy patches attract a different suite of life. Native grasses, acacia scrub, and scattered trees provide habitat complexity, making it a haven not just for aquatic species but also for insects, reptiles, and small mammals. This layered habitat structure is what makes Mullur especially rewarding for birders.
For birdwatchers, Mullur Lake offers a dynamic checklist—waders probing the shallows, raptors scanning from above, and songbirds flitting through the scrub. It’s the kind of place where a morning walk can shift from spotting herons and jacanas to catching glimpses of bee-eaters and shrikes. However, like many urban wetlands, Mullur faces mounting pressures from encroachment, waste dumping, and habitat degradation. Fluctuating water quality and shrinking green buffers threaten its ecological balance. Yet, growing awareness among local communities and birding groups is slowly turning attention toward conservation—highlighting the urgent need to protect such pockets of biodiversity before they fade into the cityscape.

Bird Guide: Mehvish khan

Bangalore-based birding enthusiast who grew up in Kanha National Park, surrounded by forests and wildlife. From a young age, she developed a strong understanding of bird behavior, calls, and identification. With hands-on experience and a passion for nature, she now enjoys guiding others and helping them connect with birds through Atavi birdwalks.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Mullur Lake

Mullur Lake unfolds as a vibrant stage where waterbirds, grassland specialists, and urban adapters come together in a constantly shifting spectacle. Rafts of Eurasian Coot and Little Grebe ripple across the water, while elegant Black-winged Stilt pick their way through the shallows with striking precision. Along the edges, the calls of White-breasted Waterhen and Gray-headed Swamphen echo through dense vegetation, revealing the richness of the marsh. Overhead, flashes of movement from Little Swift and the occasional drama of lapwings chasing away predators add energy to the scene, while iconic species like Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis bring a sense of grandeur. Even common birds—from the ever-adaptable Rock Pigeon to the melodious Asian Koel—play their part, making every visit feel alive with stories, behaviours, and seasonal surprises.
Indian Spot-Billed Duck
Indian Peafowl
Rock Pigeon
Spotted Dove
Greater Coucal

Asian Koel
Little Swift
Eurasian Moorhen
Eurasian Coot
Gray-Headed Swamphen
White-Breasted Waterhen
Black-Winged Stilt
Red-Wattled Lapwing
Bronze-Winged Jacana
Little Grebe
Painted Stork
Little Cormorant
Glossy Ibis
Black-Headed Ibis
Little Egret

Summary of Walk

Ten participants joined guide Mehvish Khan at Mullur Lake in Bengaluru for a walk in pleasant weather that helped even nervous beginners settle into the rhythm of birdwatching over the course of the morning. Early on, some participants struggled to remember bird names, but confidence grew steadily through interactive identification activities using bird calls, field marks, and playful group exercises led by Mehvish. Around 44 species were spotted over the course of the session, with participants actively engaged in discussions about ecological importance and swapping wildlife stories throughout the walk.
The standout highlight was a Baya Weaver seen actively building its nest, giving the group a close and detailed view of nest construction behaviour up close. A Black-headed Ibis and a Lesser Whistling Duck added further variety to the sightings, while an unexpected Asian Grey Mongoose crossing the trail and a barbet feeding chicks inside a tree cavity provided memorable bonus moments beyond the bird list itself. Three Indian Peafowls and an Oriental Honey-buzzard rounded out a morning full of surprises, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation for the wildlife supported by Mullur Lake’s habitat and its surroundings, several noting they had never expected a single lake to hold so much variety.

Number of Participants
0
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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.

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