Bird Walk near Saul Kere, Bengaluru

  • Bengaluru
  • 21 December, 2025
  • Manasvi Dadbhawala

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.

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Bird Guide: Manasvi Dadbhawala

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.

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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 bird walk at Saul Kere, led by Manasvi Dadbhawala, was conducted with a group of 20 participants and began with a brief orientation. Participants were introduced to the location, basic rules to follow during the walk, and guidance on how to effectively use binoculars. Bird bingo sheets were distributed to add an interactive element to the experience. The walk opened with sightings of several wading birds, including Grey-headed Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Moorhen, and a juvenile Bronze-winged Jacana. As the group moved along the wetland, numerous egrets and herons were observed, enriching the diversity of sightings.

Some of the key highlights included close views of Painted Storks, along with Black-winged Stilts and Spot-billed Pelicans. The group was also fortunate to glimpse an Indian Paradise Flycatcher, adding excitement to the walk. Following the birding session, participants took a short break for a calming forest meditation, focusing on listening to bird calls rather than visual sightings. Manasvi then shared her personal collection of feathers, explaining their different structures and how these relate to their functions in flight and survival. Before concluding, the group engaged in a reflective discussion on their learnings and experiences, sharing what they gained from the walk and from birdwatching in general, bringing the session to a thoughtful and fulfilling close.

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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