Bird Walk at Mullur Lake (Sarjapur Road), Bangalore, Karnataka
- Bangalore
- 26 July, 2026
- Rahuldev Rajguru
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: 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 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
The guided bird walk at Mullur Lake, led by Rahuldev Rajguru, brought together 19 enthusiastic participants, including two young birders who added energy and curiosity to the morning. The three-hour trail took participants around the lake’s wetlands, grasslands, and surrounding vegetation, offering excellent opportunities to observe birds in different habitats while learning about their identification, behaviour, and breeding ecology. The strong turnout reflected the growing interest in birdwatching, and the relaxed pace allowed everyone to appreciate the remarkable diversity of the area. By the end of the walk, the group had recorded an outstanding 56 bird species, making it one of the most productive outings of the season.
The highlights included excellent sightings of Spotted Owlets, active nesting by both the White-cheeked Barbet and Scaly-breasted Munia, and a thriving Baya Weaver colony where participants observed the fascinating nest-building behaviour of these skilled architects. These observations sparked engaging discussions about breeding seasons, parental care, and the importance of preserving wetland ecosystems. Mullur Lake continues to serve as one of Bengaluru’s most rewarding birding destinations, supporting an impressive variety of resident birds throughout the year. The walk offered participants an enriching blend of birdwatching, nature education, and conservation awareness, leaving everyone with a deeper appreciation for the biodiversity thriving within the city’s rapidly changing landscape.
Number of Participants
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