Painted Storks at Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary near Bangalore
Every year in the months of November and December many water bodies around Bangalore play host to various migratory birds. That was good reason for us to drive out seeking the visual delight of the nesting migratory birds.
In north India nesting begins in August and early September. It is just after the summer during southwest monsoon. But south of Hyderabad nesting begins after November. That is during the north-east or winter monsoon. Nesting by migratory birds is abandoned if monsoon fails.
Nesting Painted Storks at Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary
Painted Storks at Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary
So last Sunday we left for Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary. Painted storks are one of the six species of Indian storks. They migrate from colder regions to different parts of India for favorable climatic conditions for breeding and for food. These storks follow different nesting patterns in different parts of India.
At Kaggaladu the birds have built nests on just four Tamarind (Tamarindus Indica) trees. Of the four only one tree was dotted with large number of birds. Other trees had just two or three birds.
Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary
This is one of the 4 bird sanctuaries close to Bangalore. Other three being, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Kokkarebellur and Karanji Kere which is in Mysore. All 4 of them are well connected Bangalore by road. So a weekend road trip to any 4 of this is a refreshing way to get away from the traffic chaos and woes of Bangalore city.
Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary is not a officially managed one. No tickets are required to visit this sanctuary. The locals understand the curiosity of visitors from the city. But they request you not to disturb the birds during the nesting period.
A Tumkur based NGO Wildlife Aware Nature Club adopted this heronry in 1999. Since then it has been popular with bird lovers all around. This is the second largest bird sanctuary in whole of South Asia next only to Kokkarebellur.
Mother Bird – Painted Stork
The mother bird spreads its wings to protect the chicks from the direct heat of the sun. We saw this bird standing there like this for the entire half an hour we spent there.
This was in another tree. I was at a disadvantage here because the birds were perched high up on the trees and me at ground level.
Nests of Weaver Birds
My daughters were thrilled to see weaver birds’ nests there. See more weaver birds here: Indian Weaver Birds
My younger daughter was after me to take the snaps of the hens and cocks there. She was so attracted to them and now she is peeping over my shoulder to see if I am posting a snap of the hen or not. Quite understandable, these city bred kids can be fascinated by such birds too.
On the way back we were blessed with this sight of egrets on a roadside tree.
Kaggaladu to Bangalore Road Map
How to Reach Kaggaladu
Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary is 130km from Bangalore. Getting out of Bangalore was difficult, the usual traffic jams. Once out of the Bangalore city limits the drive is smooth. It is a straight drive on NH-4 till Sira and then a diversion to Kaggaladu. The village is 13 kilometers from Sira.
The bird sanctuary is flourishing just beside the Kaggaladu Lake.
Travel Tips
- Take your own water and eatables. Not many shops around.
- Visit in the evenings to photograph mother birds returning home to feed the young ones.
- Try and maintain low decibels. Squealing with excitement can scare the birds. Locals around get annoyed too.
- Please get your garbage back with you.
- Don’t try to feed the birds. You can be fined if you do so.
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Wonderful photos – love the weaver bird nests and that strange, statue-like stork!
Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.blogspot.com
GMG: I wish you luck!
Lakshmi: Thanks.
Celine: any connection between ‘indicaspecies’ and ‘Tamarandus indica’? 🙂
Tamarandus indica – got confirmation here now.
The egrets reminded me of a group I saw on the way to Sanchi. A lovely post with beautiful shots. Thank you for sharing.
Great discovery….though Im not a professional bird watcher, I love birds and I must go there sometimes…
blogrolled you as well..
Lakshmi
Hi Indrani! Amazing post, with great pictures.
Sorry for this short visit, but I just wanted to say thanks for your comments on my blog. This weekend, I’m going to take a musical break, and next week I’ll make a very short trip, crossing South Atlantic. I’ll try to catch up with your posts as soon as possible. Meanwhile, leave you with some chocolate champagne truffles at Blogtrotter.
Have a lovely weekend and an excellent week!
Gil
Thanks Shubha and Raji. Yes the sight ofmother bird standing still like that was really touching.
Thanks Ajeya, Kokkarebellur is close to Bidadi and this season many painted storks have nested there. You can get some good shots of the birds there.
Nice, had not heard of this place. Nice pics. Presently my office is in Bidadi, near a lake and i get to see many such birds in the campus. Wish to click some pics and post on them soon.
Very, very interesting, and fantastic pictures. That mother bird with wings held aloft to protect her chicks is too moving, maternal instinct at its highest. How nice that that you are encouraging your children’s interest in natural life with such trips.
Hi Indrani
What a great write up! After looking at the enlargements I could well understand your disappointment at not being able to get a closer shot of the birds . What fascinating colors! And the pic of the mother protecting her chick is wonderful .
Great article and nice pics !