Bird Walk at Sirudavoor Lake, near Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Ataavi’s 6 September 2026 walk at Sirudavoor Lake near Mahabalipuram brought together 16 participants under the guidance of Praveen Pandian. The lake’s extensive wetland habitat, framed by open skies and reed beds, made for a particularly species-rich morning, with the group recording an impressive 45 species — among the highest counts of the entire week and a wonderful showcase of the wetland diversity found so close to this historic coastal town. The lake’s proximity to the coast adds a unique mix of resident and migratory species, and the group’s tally reflected just how rewarding the site can be at this time of year. Highlights included the Black-breasted Weaver, Indian Pied Starling, and Tricoloured Munia, alongside a memorable sighting of a Baya Weaver feeding. The group also spotted Purple Heron, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, and Bronze-winged Jacana, and enjoyed the rare treat of seeing all three local kingfisher species in a single outing. Brahminy Starling and Indian Peafowl added further colour, while Blue-tailed Bee-eaters in flight offered excellent photo opportunities across the lake at Sirudavoor, right through to the end of the walk. Praveen’s sharp eye for movement among the reeds meant the group rarely went more than a few minutes without a new sighting, keeping energy and excitement high throughout the morning. The variety of habitats packed into one site left a strong impression on everyone present.