Bird watching at Karanji kere

Bird watching at Karanji kere Lake Mysuru:

A raft of Spot-billed Ducks at the Karanji kere

Having visited Mysuru (or Mysore) half a dozen times, never got Karanji lake on preference to visit over other popular attractions. All my love towards birds have pulled me to this beautiful lake two times in the past five weeks all the way from Bengaluru. This is a bird watchers paradise with many species of resident and migratory birds found around the lake and park. I have had sightings of over 25 species of birds from my two visits, including the water birds like Purple Swamphen, Spot-billed Duck, White-breasted Waterhen and Eurasian Coot bird, some of the small birds include the Ashy prinia and Purple Sunbird, along with Darter, Cormorants, Black Headed Ibis, Egrets, Red-wattled lapwing, Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Night Heron, Kingfisher, and some resident common birds Parakeet, Myna, Peacock, Crow, Pigeon, Eagle and Brahminy Kite.

Ibises in flight

Darter ready to take off

Grey Heron in flight and another one resting over the tree (left)

Purple Swamphen

Spot-billed Ducks

Ashy prinia. It took a while to get a clear picture as it was dark

This Indian grey mongoose was curiously watching me while I was busy photographing the birds

Hundreds of Cormorants and Black headed Ibis resting on the tree top

The beautiful lake is surrounded by a tranquil park and jogging track. Thanks to the authorities to have maintained the premises clean and not allowing plastics to litter inside the park. No wonder why thousands of birds have chosen this park as there home.

A spectacular sunset at the Karanji, couldnt expect more from this tour

Tourist Information:
Car parking: available
Timings: 8.30am to 5.30pm (Tuesdays closed)
Duration to cover whole park: 2-3hrs
Commute inside the park: Battery operated bicycles available for rent

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