See Through Different Lens's video: POST LOCKDOWN BIRDING DAY OUT KAIKONDRAHALLI LAKE
@| POST LOCKDOWN 📫 | BIRDING DAY OUT | KAIKONDRAHALLI LAKE |
Kaikondrahalli Lake
Kaikondrahalli Lake, a small urban lake in Bengaluru, A word that comes to my mind when I think of this lake is ‘plenty’ – though the birds found here are commonly sighted at many places, the number of species found here, considering the size of the lake, is bountiful.
Barely 2 kilometres in circumference, Kaikondrahalli Lake is a bio-diverse ecosystem spread over 48 acres near Kaikondrahalli, off Sarjapur Main Road. The lake works are funded by BBMP (Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike), managed by MAPSAS Trust, and supported by the surrounding communities. Once a dump-yard, this lake is now the darling of the neighbourhood; the lake’s rejuvenation has been taken up by BBMP. The lake’s boundary is defined by the compound walls of residential properties on one side and Sarjapur Road on the other. There are a few large apartment complexes adjacent to this lake.
The lake is shaped like a spoon, with the shallow end attracting reptiles, insects, amphibians, and birds; the other end of the lake is deeper. The lake is surrounded by a variety of tall and short trees, and its entrance has a huge ficus tree which attracts many birds. There is a small island in the middle of the water-body, and a wooded area at one corner of the lake bank. The stone paths in the middle of the lake are not open to visitors, but used during the lake’s maintenance. Though there are parks, play areas, and jogging and cycling tracks, there remains a significant avian population, irrespective of more people visiting day by day. The lake is fantastic all year round, with each season hosting different birds and insects, and showcasing Bengaluru’s bountiful urban biodiversity.
During peak monsoons, in perennially cloudy July, the lake fills up fast. Pond Herons perch on branches low enough to touch the water, and wait in to ambush fish and frogs. Egrets occupy the lowlands and small islands in the water. Coots swim close to the lake’s shore, where there are aquatic plants and reeds. White-throated Kingfishers are on high alert, catching anything that moves. Cormorants and Darters dive in and out of water. Skittering Frogs float on the water surface and croak incessantly. Spot-billed Ducks laze on the stone paths in the lake, necks tucked into their plumage. From afar, a Southern Coucal calls out, even as a Black Drongo flies in to the thicket.
In August, the lake is bursting at full capacity. Spot-billed Pelicans usually arrive by mid-august, and at least 5 to 6 of them can be spotted on the wider trees close to the wooded areas of the shore. They dominate the lake for the next 3 to 4 months. Painted Storks and Asian Openbills also arrive at the lake along with the pelicans.
From the end of August, well into September, insect life is aplenty. A variety of spiders – especially orb weavers like the Signature Spider and Long-jawed Spider – are found throughout the metal fence around the lake. The two huge fig trees in the lake premises – one at the entrance and one at the rear – are home to large numbers of frugivorous birds like the Asian Koel, White-cheeked Barbet, and Rose-ringed Parakeet. Common Myna and Jungle Myna are also found on these trees, chattering noisily. Dragonflies occupy the air in the wooded area; sometimes, Purple Herons target them, dancing like snakes in the grassland.
In October, the perimeter of the lake is a radiant green, with all the plants, shrubs and trees full of fresh leaves. Scaly-breasted Munias are found in Babool trees, foraging and chasing each other. The bank of the lake has many Neem, Arjuna and Eucalyptus trees in which raptors like Brahminy Kites and Black Kites are found perched. They circle around periodically, inspecting the area, and return to these trees. Birds like the Great Cormorant and Little Cormorant use dry or dead Arjuna and Eucalyptus trees for perching, roosting and nesting.
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See Through Different Lens's video: POST LOCKDOWN BIRDING DAY OUT KAIKONDRAHALLI LAKE
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