Hesaraghatta: A Grassland Full of Surprises

My last visit to Hesaraghatta was way back in November 2018. Since then, I had been waiting for the right opportunity and, more importantly, the right company to explore this vast birding landscape again. Given how extensive the area is, I wouldn't readily recommend birding there alone.

Then AK made a suggestion: “Why not Hesaraghatta?”

I didn't need much convincing. I jumped at the opportunity, and before long, we were back exploring this wonderful birding destination.

It turned out to be an incredibly productive outing, with birds keeping us busy and our cameras clicking almost nonstop. We photographed until we were nearly exhausted, yet the vast landscape still had plenty to offer. Several stretches remained unexplored, giving us all the more reason to plan another visit.

For now, here's a glimpse of the birds and moments that made this long-awaited return to Hesaraghatta so worthwhile.

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It was a drizzly morning when we set off at 5:15 a.m., reaching the gates of the State Poultry Farm Training Centre around 6 a.m. The centre borders a stretch of the Hesaraghatta grasslands.

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The trees were already alive with bird activity. Despite the dim, overcast light, we began photographing whatever we could spot. A Small Minivet perched among the budding branches, offering us one of our first photographic opportunities of the day.

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A Greenish Warbler soon appeared among the tangled branches, followed by a Common Iora.

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Some surprises reveal themselves only when you review your photographs! I hadn't noticed this Indian Paradise Flycatcher during the outing, but it had quietly made its way into one of my frames.

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Another little surprise was this Asian Brown Flycatcher. While photographing it, I mistook it for a minivet, only to discover its true identity later while reviewing the images.

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We then moved into the grassland shrubbery, where the birding took on a different character. Babblers were everywhere, hopping between branches and moving busily through the vegetation, giving us plenty of opportunities to photograph them.

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An Indian Paradise Flycatcher landed on a termite mound, making for an unusual and delightful frame. Perhaps the mound offered easy pickings for a hungry bird!

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A Brahminy Kite perched quietly among the eucalyptus branches.

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The babblers were busy foraging, and this one struck gold or, rather, caught a lizard!

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The drizzly morning had left the grasslands fresh and green, with patches of reddish soil peeking through the vegetation. Under the vast, overcast sky, the landscape stretched out with scattered shrubs and trees, inviting us to explore further in search of its feathered residents.

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After months of drought, the rain gauge finally had a reason to feel useful again!

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Jacobin Cuckoos were present in good numbers too. Traditionally regarded as harbingers of rain, they seemed particularly fitting companions on a damp, overcast morning.

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I found myself lingering over these raindrops, tiny crystal globes holding the greenery upside down.

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AK pointed out a Black-headed Cuckooshrike perched among the branches. Against the pale sky, its black hood and slate-grey plumage stood out beautifully.

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Soon enough, it took off.

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The Black-winged Kite had to put up with some unwelcome attention from the resident Black Drongos. One kept watch from a perch while another swooped in repeatedly, making its displeasure abundantly clear. The kite tried moving from one nearby tree to another, hoping to find some peace. With the drongos refusing to give up, it eventually retreated farther away and settled on a distant perch.

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The Jacobin Cuckoo was making the most of the rain-kissed grassland shrubbery.

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Nestled among a tangle of stems and narrow green leaves, the delicate violet blooms of the Sahyadri Dewgrass caught our attention.

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A delicate Holostemma creeper also demanded a closer look as we wandered through the grassland.

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A berry buffet awaited the Red-whiskered Bulbuls in the leafy canopy.

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The Asian Koel, too, had discovered the irresistible berry buffet! It picked its way through the leafy canopy, making the most of the bounty.

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More pearls were looted from the Garlic Creeper!

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A lifer! Perched delicately on a bare twig against the open sky, the Spotted Flycatcher made its appearance.

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A peacock perched at a distance, its iridescent plumage and magnificent train standing out against the green canopy.

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Then, in a sudden burst of motion, it spread its wings and took flight, its magnificent train streaming behind it.

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Amid the eucalyptus canopy, another peacock caught our eye.

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The sun briefly broke through the thick blanket of clouds, offering a fleeting glimpse of sunshine on an otherwise overcast morning.

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A beautiful passionflower!

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A Spotted Dove took flight.

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Coppersmith Barbets flitted between their perches.

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A Cinereous Tit paused long enough for us to admire its understated beauty.

A Greater Coucal offered us a fleeting glimpse of its powerful wings as it settled among the branches.

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Along the barbed-wire boundary, a peahen made her way carefully along the stone wall.

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It was around 9 a.m. when we decided to head towards the lakeside at Hesaraghatta. AK had one particular bird in mind: the European Roller. I, like many Bengalore birders, had already seen this striking visitor, but for AK, the sighting was still unfinished business.

So off we went in search of the roller—a familiar sight for many, but one AK was still waiting to see.

Around the lakeside, a Great Egret moved through the still waters with quiet elegance. One moment, it stood poised and watchful; the next, there was a sudden burst of wings.

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Soon enough, we spotted the European Roller, its turquoise and cobalt plumage standing out against the muted morning sky. But this was no easy subject to photograph. It kept moving from one perch to another, making us walk along in pursuit, hoping it would settle long enough for a frame.

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While the European Roller kept us on our feet, my attention drifted to the ground, where Birdsville Indigo carpeted parts of the grassland. There was plenty of beauty to discover without looking up!

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These little Broomweed, or Kurunthotti, blooms caught my eye too. I’d heard of their place in traditional Ayurveda, where certain species are used in preparations for minor skin wounds and are traditionally associated with relieving inflammation and pain, managing fever and coughs, and supporting digestion.

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I loved these cheerful yellow blooms of Caribbean Stylo.

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Then I came across this pretty little Chocolate Weed in bloom.

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And the Dwarf Morning Glory or Vishnukraanti.  

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A Bay-backed Shrike perched on a weathered tree stump, giving me another opportunity to pause and photograph.

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By the lakeside, I spent some time watching a Common Kingfisher at work. It kept diving into the water and emerging with a catch, returning to its perch among the bare branches.

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A Black-winged Stilt waded through the shallows, probing the water with its long, slender bill in search of food.

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The Common Kingfishers kept me busy by the lakeside that morning, providing plenty of opportunities to photograph their movements and fishing attempts.

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I spotted a Barn Swallow perched among the tangle of twigs.

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My attention soon shifted to a group of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters perched on the bare branches nearby. Their colourful plumage stood out against the pale morning sky, and I spent some time watching and photographing them.

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An Oriental Skylark perched on a thorny branch, offering another lovely portrait against the open sky.

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It was almost 11:30 a.m. when we finally decided to call it a morning and reluctantly began walking back. We had spent hours exploring Hesaraghatta, yet there was still so much left to see.

As if to give us one last reason to linger, we came across another peacock among the trees on our way out.

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Just when I thought the sightings were over, a Eurasian Hoopoe appeared among the bare branches. Its distinctive crest and striking markings made for a fitting addition to the morning's collection of photographs.

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A Greater Coucal appeared in the lush greenery on our way back.

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We also made a quick detour into a large bamboo habitat, where the calls of several birds filled the air. There was clearly much to explore, but with time running short, I managed just one photograph: an Oriental Magpie-Robin.

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We left the bamboo patch with the feeling that we had barely scratched the surface. It was one more corner of Hesaraghatta waiting to be explored on our next visit—and one more reason to return.

Hope you enjoyed this birding trip to Hesaraghatta! Do share your thoughts in the comments.