Chasing Bar-headed Geese at Hadinaru Kere

Back in early January, a friend suggested a trip to Hadinaru Kere, a serene lake near Mysore, about 200 km away, to spot the majestic Bar-headed Geese, winter visitors all the way from Mongolia. Excited, I was all set for the trip, only to find out that the geese hadn’t arrived yet. And just like that, the plan slipped from my mind.

Fast forward to early February, my friend reminded me again, and this time, a quick Google search confirmed the geese had finally made their grand entrance. Without wasting time, we planned a midweek trip. Not only did we get to see these high-altitude champions in all their glory, but we also spotted a variety of other birds.

But the real stars of this adventure were the stunning Bar-headed Geese. Here are the pictures!

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We started at 4 AM, setting off under the cover of darkness. Soon, we were cruising along the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway, the road stretching ahead in the quiet of the early morning. My dashcam diligently recorded hours of footage as we sped towards our destination.

Instead of making you sit through all of it, here’s a concise video capturing the essence of our journey, both to Hadinaru Kere and back. 

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As we neared our destination, the sun made its grand entrance, bathing the landscape in golden hues.

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A little before reaching Hadinaru Kere, we were greeted by an unexpected sight, a peafowl family wandering in the golden dawn. We quickly stopped the car, hoping to get a few good shots, but the peafowls had other plans. In a flash, they sped away, vanishing into the grasslands. A brief encounter, but a beautiful one!

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Following Google Maps, we had entered Hadinaru Kere Lake as our destination. It led us to a scenic stretch of water, calm, picturesque, and… almost birdless. Something felt off. After scanning the area for a while, we realized this wasn’t the spot we were looking for.

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Just then, a villager happened to pass by. We asked him about the migratory birds, and he pointed us in the right direction, towards a park next to the lake, about a kilometer away. With fresh hope, we set off again, eager to finally meet the Bar-headed Geese.

On our way to the correct spot, we were treated to another delightful sight of a few Red-naped Ibises foraging in the fields. Their glossy black plumage and distinctive red crowns stood out beautifully in the soft morning light. 

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Before reaching the park, we came across a spot with a flight of stairs leading to the lake bank. Curious, we decided to take a quick detour and climbed up. At the top, we were greeted with a beautiful panoramic view of the lake, framed by a majestic old tree.

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The big tree at the viewpoint was alive with Chestnut-tailed Starlings, their chatter filling the air. I took a few quick shots before we moved on.

Our research showed that the Bar-headed Geese usually arrived around 9 AM and stayed until 11 AM. We were early, so we grabbed some quick nut snacks and settled on a park bench to wait. Meanwhile, Cotton Pygmy Geese were already busy foraging in the water. Though they were a lifer for me, my mind was fixated on the real prize, the Bar-headed Geese.

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As 9 AM approached, anticipation grew. And then, out of nowhere, a Purple Heron soared past, its graceful flight momentarily stealing the show.

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At the stroke of nine, I was all set to welcome the Bar-headed Geese. But before they could arrive, a flock of Northern Shovelers swooped in, making me fire my shutter instinctively.

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And then, right on cue, the Bar-headed Geese began flying in, gracefully filling the far side of the lake. Our wait had finally paid off!

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Realizing the geese were too far for good shots, we wondered what to do next. Just then, a young man named Swamy approached us, saying he knew a better spot. We asked him to hop in, and he guided us back to the big tree stairs we had visited earlier. A short walk from there led us to the perfect place to watch and photograph the Bar-headed Geese in action.

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For the next several minutes, we were completely immersed, watching, admiring, and photographing these beautiful Bar-headed Geese as they moved gracefully across the water.

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The Bar-headed Goose is a remarkable migrant, breeding in Central Asia and wintering as far south as peninsular India. It is famous for its ability to fly at extreme altitudes, crossing the Himalayas with ease.

Here’s a migration path I captured from Google Maps, showing their incredible journey from Mongolia to South India, covering approximately 4,500 kilometers. This journey is a testament to the endurance of these amazing birds.

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In between, I also captured some Brahminy Kites, including one perfectly juxtaposed with a Black Kite, highlighting their contrasting colors and striking presence in the sky.

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The Cotton Pygmy Geese put on a breathtaking aerial display, their iridescent green wings shimmering as they twisted and turned in perfect coordination.

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The Cotton Pygmy Goose, also known as the Cotton Teal, is a small perching duck found across Asia and Southeast Asia, extending south and east to Queensland, where it is sometimes called the White-quilled Pygmy Goose. Despite its name, it is more closely related to ducks than true geese. Known for its striking green plumage and compact size, this species thrives in freshwater lakes and wetlands, often seen foraging among floating vegetation.

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More bar-headed geese gradually moved closer, giving us a fantastic opportunity to observe them up close.

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By 11 am we called it a day as the bar-headed geese flew away to nearby fields, disappearing into the horizon. Just as we were about to leave, a grey-headed swamphen gave us a parting shot, elegantly wading through the reeds.

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I hope you liked the post! It was an incredible morning of birdwatching, and Hadinaru Kere delivered  with some fantastic sightings. To wrap things up, here’s a beautiful piece of elephant artwork I came across at a place where we stopped for lunch. 

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On the way back, we took a detour to Kokrebellur, a well-known breeding ground for pelicans and painted storks. It was a fascinating stop, but I’ll save those details for the next blog post—stay tuned!