A Hoskote Birding Tale

Last Saturday, I found myself back at one of my favourite haunts: Hoskote Lake.

It rarely disappoints, and this visit was no different. A soft sunrise, a gentle breeze, and wetlands alive with movement.

Cuckoos, swallows, shrikes, openbills… and a mural that had me craving biriyani at 8 AM.

Here’s a glimpse of the highlights.

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The sun climbs quietly through the haze, painting everything warm.

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The sun rose like a slow exhale, brushing the treetops with gold.

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Silhouettes of branches cradled the rising orb, while a lone Pond Heron sat still, taking it all in, just like I did.

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While one end of the lake blazed with sunrise, the other retreated into a hush of green and haze.

Quiet, ancient, and untouched, save for the skeletal ruin and the distant power lines.

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I took a quiet spot by the lake’s edge and watched a Black-winged Stilt forage gracefully, its reflection following each delicate step like a faithful shadow.

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At times, the elegant Black-winged Stilt glides past the lone Wood Sandpiper.

One stepped like it owned the place. The other just hoped not to get stepped on.

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Some birds migrate thousands of miles to find themselves.

This Wood Sandpiper just seems to be wondering why its reflection always looks slightly more photogenic.

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Next, I saw a flock of Asian Openbills. In the hush of the wetlands, their presence feels meditative. A gathering of monks in feathered robes, heads bowed to the water.

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An Asian Openbill launches into the stillness, wide wings catching the haze.

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Four in flight, each tracing its own line through the morning mist.

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Asian Openbills wade through shallow water, searching for snails. 

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An Asian Openbill flies with a snail in its beak. Its special bill, with a gap in the middle, helps it pick snails from their shells easily.

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I watched a group of black-headed ibises fly past, their curved bills showing how well they’ve adapted to life in the wetlands. Their long bills help them forage in wetlands for insects, crustaceans, and other small prey.

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The Wood Sandpiper held my attention by the water's edge.

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I could watch the Black-winged Stilt and its reflection all morning.

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Even from afar, the Grey-bellied Cuckoo with its caterpillar catch was a treat to see.

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The Grey-bellied Cuckoo looked rather smug after its meal.

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A lovely surprise to find fields of common baby's breath adding their airy charm.

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My gaze followed this Black-winged Kite as it surveyed the landscape from its perch.

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An Indian Silverbill flitted about, its movements resembling popcorn in a hot pan.

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Next I spotted this Long-tailed Shrike, another fascinating resident of Hoskote Lake.

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A White-throated Kingfisher, a bit high up for a perfect photo, but a wonderful sighting nonetheless.

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The air buzzed with the cheerful chirping of a swallow, perched gracefully on a wire.

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And finally, this vibrant swamphen.

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On the way back, I gave in to temptation and stopped at one of the many biryani joints that seem to grow like weeds around Hoskote. A biryani breakfast at 8 AM might not win any nutrition awards, but who could resist? The eye-catching mural practically dragged me in by the collar.

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Thanks for tagging along on this Hoskote morning. If a bird, a line, or even that biryani made you pause—I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Wonders on a Saturday Morning

Woke up on Saturday to some cloudy skies and figured it was a good day for a walk. Grabbed my camera and headed to Kannamangala Lake for a slow stroll. The weather was perfect. Cool, quiet, and just moody enough to feel like something interesting might happen. And it did. I spotted a few feathered surprises and even got some decent shots. Here’s how it all went.

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I had planned the visit to catch the sunrise, but the clouds had other ideas. This quiet stretch of road, near the lake, set the tone for the morning. A few early birds were already active, calling from the trees.

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My first notable sighting was an Indian Pond Heron carefully making its way along the water’s edge. Its slow, deliberate movements and intense focus as it searched for prey were impressive to watch.

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Nearby, an Intermediate Egret stood still and watchful, skulking near the water's edge, a picture of quiet patience.

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The gazebo stood silently under the moody sky, perfectly still except for the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.

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The little bridge was already occupied by a lively pair of White-browed Wagtails.

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Then, the cloudy sky began to break, and dramatic rays of sunlight filtered through, casting beautiful streaks of light onto the still surface of the lake and the surrounding trees.

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I caught a quick glimpse of a vibrant Common Kingfisher before it vanished into the reeds. Just enough time for two quick clicks of the shutter.

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A busy Little Grebe was on the prowl. It spotted its prey… and snap! Mission successful.

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A flash of crimson then caught my eye – a Red-whiskered Bulbul perched boldly on a branch. It seemed quite aware of my presence, turning its head with a curious chirp before flitting to another spot.

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My attention then shifted to a nearby branch laden with a Cluster figs.

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With an air of frantic urgency, a White-breasted Waterhen, a common yet often unseen resident, suddenly broke cover and hurried away across my path.

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A striking Pied Kingfisher perched patiently on bare branches above the water, sharing its vantage point briefly with a sleek Black Drongo. For the next hour, I watched with bated breath, hoping to capture the moment the kingfisher would finally take flight.

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Finally, after an hour of patient observation, the Pied Kingfisher hovered momentarily in mid-air, a blur of black and white against the green backdrop, perfectly poised before its anticipated dive. 

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The hover was perfect, a textbook pause before the plunge. Moments later, it returned to its perch, a tiny silver fish held firmly in its beak – a successful reward for its patience and precision.

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A Common Moorhen glided by clutching some aquatic vegetation, its red beak a vivid splash of color.

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With a powerful thrust of its wings, an Indian Spot-billed Duck erupted from the still water, revealing a stunning flash of iridescent blue-green on its speculum – a truly spectacular departure.

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Another 45 minutes passed in hopeful anticipation, my gaze fixed on the Pied Kingfisher perched patiently. Finally, with a burst of energy, it launched itself into the air once more, a flash of black and white against the muted tones of the lake.

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Just when I thought I was done capturing the day, the Indian Spot-billed Duck decided to give me a few more memorable shots.

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On my way back, an Indian Pond Heron caught my eye as it was actively hunting. Perched low over the water on a fallen log, its gaze was intensely focused on the surface, ready to strike.

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In a swift, precise movement, it dipped its sharp beak into the water and emerged with a small catch. Its focused hunting paying off instantly.

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The calm waters of the lake then offered a serene reflection of the scattered clouds and the lush greenery along the banks.

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The morning's last fisher was this striking Little Egret.

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And that wraps up my Saturday morning stroll around Kannamangala Lake! I hope you enjoyed these glimpses of the local birdlife. Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts.