Bird Walk at Vellayini lake, Kireedam Palam, Trivandrum, Kerala
- Trivandrum
- 6 September, 2026
- Malavika S Nair
About Vellayini lake, Kireedam Palam
Tucked away near Kireedam Palam in Kerala, Vellayani Lake unfolds as a serene freshwater expanse where land and water blend into a rich mosaic of life. This shallow, rain-fed lake—one of the largest freshwater lakes in the region—supports a vibrant wetland ecosystem fringed with paddy fields, floating vegetation, and patches of reeds. Lotus blooms and water lilies dot the surface, while the surrounding landscape hosts coconut groves and moist deciduous vegetation. Together, these habitats create an ever-changing stage for a remarkable diversity of fauna, especially aquatic birds that thrive in the calm, nutrient-rich waters.
For birders, Vellayani is a quiet treasure. Early mornings reveal flocks gliding across misty waters and waders delicately probing the muddy edges. From resident breeders to seasonal visitors, the lake is alive with movement and calls. However, like many wetlands, it faces mounting pressures—urban expansion, agricultural runoff, invasive plant species, and water pollution threaten its ecological balance. Conservation efforts and responsible tourism are vital to preserve this delicate habitat, ensuring that the rhythms of birdlife and wetland ecology continue undisturbed for generations to come.
Bird Guide: Malavika S Nair
She is a researcher with over three years of experience in ornithological research and is currently working as a researcher at the Wildlife Institute of India – Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore. She has also worked on a vulture conservation project with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and has extensive fieldwork experience in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Beyond her research, she has volunteered in various forest and urban bird surveys across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Her fieldwork has involved bird identification, monitoring and biodiversity assessments across diverse habitats, contributing to wildlife research, ecological understanding and conservation efforts.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Vellayini lake, Kireedam Palam
The birdlife of Vellayani Lake is both diverse and enchanting, offering a blend of elegance, stealth, and spectacle. Tiny gems like the Cotton Pygmy-Goose glide effortlessly between floating vegetation, while the rhythmic calls of Lesser Whistling-Ducks echo across the water at dusk. Waders like Black-winged Stilts and Greater Painted-Snipes add grace to the muddy fringes, while jacanas—with their long toes—appear to walk on water among lotus leaves. Herons and ibises stand poised in patient stillness, and the sudden plunge of a Pied Kingfisher brings bursts of action to the calm surface. Whether it’s the secretive Cinnamon Bittern hiding in reeds or the striking Whiskered Terns skimming low over the water, each species adds a unique thread to the lake’s living tapestry.
Cotton Pygmy-Goose
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Indian Spot-Billed Duck
Little Grebe
Black-Winged Stilt
Pheasant-Tailed Jacana
Bronze-Winged Jacana
Asian Openbill
Black-Headed Ibis
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Eurasian Coot
Eurasian Moorhen
Grey-Headed Swamphen
Pied Kingfisher
Cinnamon Bittern
Greater Painted-Snipe
Whiskered Tern
Indian Pond-Heron
Brahminy Kite
Summary of Walk
Ataavi’s 6 September 2026 walk at Vellayini in Kerala brought together 18 participants, including three young birders, under the guidance of Malavika S Nair. Vellayini’s wetlands hold Ramsar significance, and Malavika shared insights into the site’s ecological importance throughout the walk, helping participants connect the birdlife they were seeing to the wider value of the wetland and the state’s broader network of protected water bodies. The Ataavi app’s checklist feature was introduced to the group, adding a fun, interactive element to the morning as everyone logged their sightings together. The lake’s calm, open waters and fringing marshland gave the group plenty of time to study each species closely, from waders working the shallows to raptors circling overhead.
The group recorded a rich list of species including Glossy Ibis, Grey-headed Swamphen, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Eurasian Coot, Lesser Whistling-Duck, Purple Heron, and White-throated Kingfisher. Particular highlights included the Pied Cuckoo, Eurasian Coot, and a striking Black-rumped Flameback. The presence of three enthusiastic young birders added extra energy to the walk, and Malavika’s explanations of the wetland’s Ramsar status left participants with a deeper appreciation for Vellayini’s ecological importance and its place among Kerala’s most treasured wetland habitats. Several participants said the wetland’s peaceful setting, paired with Malavika’s storytelling, made it one of the most memorable mornings they had spent birdwatching.
Number of Participants
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