Birding in Varuna Lake, Mysore

On 26th Apr 2015 Myself (H K M Swamy), Sathisha M and Chethan M S planned to go to Varuna Lake back waters in early morning for bird watching. It was 6.30 am me and Chetu reached Sathi's house picked him and started towards lake. Varuna lake gets water not only from rain but also from Varuna channel from which there is enough water in the lake throughout the year. Sathi informed us the route which took us to the back side of the lake. As there was heavy rain the day before the surface was wet and we saw many birds resting in the water. I started to take photos of birds in my cam and sathi in his mobile. I saw 100s of Spot-billed ducks, Many Purple Swamphen, Cattle Egrets, Indian Pond Heron, Eurasian Coots and 2 White Throated Kingfisher.

White Throated Kingfisher

 Purple Swamphen

 Eurasian Coots

Sathi manage to take some good photos of lake beauty in his mobile camera

Varuna Lake, Mysore

Than we started to move to different place from the edge of the lake. As it was wet me and Sathi started walking and Chetu manage to get the bike. We reached a spot where there was a Painted Stork, there were many Spot-billed ducks, Little Egret, Greater painted-snipe and Purple Swamphen. As Chetu was wearing yellow shirt as soon as he came all birds started to fly, I said chetu that was because his shirt colour, than he removed his shirt for some time till I manage to take some snaps. Chetu had bought Shuttle (not sure why:D) so I told them to play and took some photos. We wanted to move further but there was no way to bike, Chetu took bike and left telling he would be in the other end of the lake. I spotted a Indian Grey Hornbill which went inside the bushes in a second so was not able to take a photo of it. As we started to walk we felt like we are going inside some forest hiking as it was covered with trees and bushes.

Cattle Egrets

Greater painted-snipe - Female

Little Egret

Greater painted-snipe - Male

Sathi & Chetu playing shuttle in Varuna Lake

Spot-billed ducks

Painted Stork

Varuna lake, Mysore

Than we spotted small group of birds on the tree and bird in the lake side. I took many snaps there and went further to the final spot. There I was very happy to spot Pied Kingfisher for the first but the sad thing was my battery was drained out, however i rubbed the battery and manage to take a snap which was not clear though.

Pied Kingfisher 

There too Sathi took some scenic photos which had came out very well. 

Varuna Lake

Varuna Lake Water Flower

We felt very sad that development of layouts around the lake was impacting the birds habitat and also beauty of the lake. That was end of the Birding day, Sathi said we will go to Lingabudi Lake next week and we were back to our homes.