Birding
Spots In and Around Bangalore
Lalbagh
- Right in the heart of the city you have Lalbagh. A wonderful place to
start your bird watching. The bngbirds (yahoo groups) birders meet here every
second Sunday to do some bird watching and also discuss in general about Birds.
You can subscribe to bngbirds (check yahoo groups) to get more information on
this.
Madiwala
lake - This lake located in Madiwala near BTM layout is another
excellant place for birding.
Kalkere/Rampura Lake - On
the outskirts of Bangalore, along the Hennur road are these twin lakes. On the
outer ring road, if you are heading from Hebbal flyover towards old Madras road,
the second traffic junction is the hennur cross. You need to take a left on
Hennur road and head a couple of Km's to reach this place.
Hebbal Lake
- Just beside the hebbal flyover is the hebbal lake. A well maintained
park attached to the lake is a major attraction for public during the weekends.
A nice location for some birding.
Valley School Road - You have lots of
places on the Kanakapura road. One of the hot spots is the valley School road.
On the Bangalore-kanakapura road, keep your eyes opened for the Valley School
road after around 15kms from bangalore.
IISC Campus
- The IISc campus is another place in Bangalore which is a good spot for
Bird watching.
University of Agriculture Science Campus
- This campus is located on the Bangalore-Hyderabad road.
Bangalore University campus
- Located on Bangalore-Mysore road, a good place inside Bangalore for some
birding.
Manchinbele - Around 30 kms
from Bangalore, just before the Tippagondanahall reservoir, on the
Bangalore-Magadi main road, if you are sharp-eyed, take the left turn at the
signpost towards Manchinbele dam and subsequently Mysore road. There's lots of
greenery surrounding the hills in every direction. You can also approach this
place from Mysore Road via the Big banayan tree.
Tippagondanahalli
(T.G.halli) - 35 Kms east of Bangalore, on the Bangalore-Magadi road, you
will find T.G.Halli. An excellant place for aquatic birds and raptors along with
other common birds.
Savandurga State Forest -
Savandurga is around 60 kms from Bangalore towards the town of Magadi. The road
has been recently asphalted and it is a pleasure to drive on. Manchinbele,
T.G.Halli and Savandurga are all in the same locality and can be covered in a
day.
Nandi
Hills - A flight of 1,175 steps lead from the base of the hills to the
top. On top was Tipu Sultan's summer retreat and remains of Tipu's fort bear
this out. Tipu's Drop, a 600 metre high cliff face, where prisoners were hurled
down the precipice is an awe-inspiring sight. This is located around 60 Kms from
Bangalore on the Bangalore Hyderabad highway.
Bannerghatta National Park -
Bannerghatta, on the outskirts of Bangalore, offers you
all the sights, sounds and action of 25,000 acres of carefully preserved jungle.
A good get away for the weekend. Jungle Lodges have their nature Camp inside
the Herbivore Safari Enclosure.
Another excellant place for some good birding.
Devarayana Durga State Forest (DDSF) -
Located around 60Kms from Bangalore on the Tumkar highway, this place is quite
famous for the Yellow Throated Bulbuls. Another must visit place for Birders and
nature lovers.
The above are some of
the places in and around Bangalore for some good Birding. Of course, Bangalore
offers lot more than what I have mentioned above. Happy
Birding.