Bird Walk near Saul Kere, Bengaluru
- Bengaluru
- 31 August, 2025
- Manasvi Rushabh
About Saul Kere
Tucked away in the heart of southeast Bengaluru, Saul Kere is a thriving urban wetland that has transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant biodiversity hotspots. Once a neglected lake, it has been steadily revived through community efforts and now supports a remarkable diversity of life — over 214 species of birds, alongside butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and a rich wetland flora. From resident waterbirds like Purple Swamphens and Spot-billed Ducks to winter migrants such as Garganeys and Marsh Harriers, the lake teems with avian activity throughout the year.
Spread across nearly 61 acres, Saul Kere features open water, reed beds, marshy patches, and tree-lined bunds that create diverse habitats for wildlife. Its wetlands not only attract birdwatchers, photographers, and walkers, but also serve as a crucial stopover for migratory species navigating the Central Asian Flyway. For the local community, the lake offers both a peaceful refuge amidst Bengaluru’s urban sprawl and a vital outdoor classroom for environmental learning.
Ecologically, Saul Kere plays an indispensable role in the city’s health — moderating floods, aiding groundwater recharge, improving air quality, and acting as a green lung for surrounding neighborhoods. It stands today as a testament to the power of ecological restoration and citizen participation in conserving urban lakes.
Partnered with
Bird Guide: Manasvi
A 16 year old birder and writer from Bengaluru. She has been birding since last 7 years, using ebird to record all observations. She has written and illustrated a children's novella "Wings Stretched Out" about an Oriole's migration. She has also published a short story "In the Eyes of a pigeon" in anthology by Jane Goodall's roots and shoots foundation. She loves using stories to express her fascination with birds.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Saul Kere
Saul Kere, one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant urban wetlands, combines open waters, reedbeds, and wooded bunds to host an exceptional range of birdlife. Its marshes are alive with Gray-headed Swamphens, Eurasian Moorhens, Coots, and White-breasted Waterhens, while the floating vegetation supports Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas alongside Red-wattled Lapwings. Little Grebes dive in the open waters, Oriental Darters and cormorants fish with ease, and large waterbirds like Painted Storks, Spot-billed Pelicans, Black-headed Ibises, and Asian Openbills forage in the shallows. The edges of the lake attract herons and egrets in variety, from the small Pond-Heron and Little Egret to the stately Purple, Gray, and Great Herons. Raptors such as the Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Shikra, and Black-winged Kite are often seen circling above, while swallows, swifts, and martins skim gracefully across the water.
The surrounding scrub and wooded patches add further richness, supporting a chorus of Rose-ringed and Alexandrine Parakeets, barbets, bulbuls, babblers, and mynas. Insectivores like the Common Tailorbird, Ashy and Plain Prinias, Indian White-eye, and Oriental Magpie-Robin thrive in the undergrowth, while open patches host Indian Robins, Pied Bushchats, wagtails, and pipits. Nectar-feeders such as Purple-rumped and Purple Sunbirds and the Pale-billed Flowerpecker flit among flowering trees, while Scaly-breasted Munias gather in grasslands. With this lively mix of wetland specialists and woodland birds, Saul Kere offers a compact yet diverse birding experience, making it one of Bengaluru’s most rewarding spots for both seasoned birdwatchers and casual visitors.
Little Cormorant
Oriental Darter
Grey-headed Swamphen
White-throated Kingfisher
Spot-billed Pelican
Little Grebe
Indian Pond Heron
Little Egret
Red-wattled Lapwing
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Bronze-winged Jacana
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Common Kingfisher
Brahminy Kite
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Black Drongo
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Summary of Walk
The Saul Kere Bird Walk in Bengaluru brought together 23 participants for a vibrant morning of birdwatching led by 16-year-old bird guide Manasvi. With six years of experience, published articles, and authored books to her credit, Manasvi, supported by her parents Nikita and Rushabh, guided the group with confidence and passion. The walk began with an introduction to binoculars and birdwatching techniques, setting the tone for an engaging session.
Over the course of two hours, the group recorded around 40 bird species. Some of the exciting sightings included the white-browed bulbul, drongos, kingfishers, darters, rose-ringed parakeet nests, and both red-vented and red-whiskered bulbuls. The diversity of species offered participants a memorable window into the rich birdlife of Saul Kere.
Adding to the experience, the group paused amidst a chorus of bird calls for forest meditation and also enjoyed a lively bird bingo game. Winners received beautiful origami creations prepared by Manasvi herself, making the walk not just informative but also playful and interactive. Participants left inspired by the enthusiasm of their young guide and with a deeper appreciation of urban biodiversity.
Number of Participants
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