We started early morning at around 6am for Hessarghatta from Malleshwaram.
We reached in around 30-40min. We asked a few people on the road for directions for place to entry for birding in the dry lake.
It is a man made lake built in 1894. The total catchment area draining into the Lake at the dam built on the Arkavathy River is 73.84 km2
At the entrance to the lake on the trees on the left we encountered 5-6 chestnut tailed startlings and 3-4 drongos followed by a flock of jungle mynas.
The main aim of the visit was to get some raptors harriers, eagles, kestrel, etc.
At the start of the trail what we saw were only many kites.
The main attraction of the visit turned out to be a lifer for me the blue faced malkoha which gave us good views at different locations.
Other sighting was a Grey Francolin and Common Hoppoe.
Saw Montagu's Harrier flying around and a big eagle flying high in the sky so difficult to ID.
After reaching the center of the lake there were already a few cars waiting on the tracks for the eagles to sit down on the ant hill mounds.
We had some cake and kachori with water to fill our stomach a bit for remaining birding and till we reached the bangalore city.
From there we proceed towards the exit of the lake. Just a few meters away we saw the famous Common Kestrel perched on the top of a tree.
It gave us some very near and clear views. After a while it also landed on the ground in front of us to give us some ground shots.
Just before leaving we saw a lark and pied bushchat
We started back by 12:30 and went to satellite bus stand to catch a bus to Mysore.
It was a good birding day with a new bird giving us multiple sightings from near quarters, the blue faced Malkoha and Common Kestrel giving very nice views.
Have a look at following album for more pictures
We reached in around 30-40min. We asked a few people on the road for directions for place to entry for birding in the dry lake.
It is a man made lake built in 1894. The total catchment area draining into the Lake at the dam built on the Arkavathy River is 73.84 km2
 |
| Hessaraghatta Lake |
At the entrance to the lake on the trees on the left we encountered 5-6 chestnut tailed startlings and 3-4 drongos followed by a flock of jungle mynas.
 |
| Chestnut Tailed Starling |
 |
| Ashy Drongo |
 |
| Chestnut Tailed Starling |
The main aim of the visit was to get some raptors harriers, eagles, kestrel, etc.
At the start of the trail what we saw were only many kites.
 |
| Black Kite |
 |
| Indian Silverbill |
The main attraction of the visit turned out to be a lifer for me the blue faced malkoha which gave us good views at different locations.
 |
| Blue faced Malkoha |
Other sighting was a Grey Francolin and Common Hoppoe.
 |
| Grey Francolin |
 |
| Common Hoopoe |
Saw Montagu's Harrier flying around and a big eagle flying high in the sky so difficult to ID.
After reaching the center of the lake there were already a few cars waiting on the tracks for the eagles to sit down on the ant hill mounds.
We had some cake and kachori with water to fill our stomach a bit for remaining birding and till we reached the bangalore city.
From there we proceed towards the exit of the lake. Just a few meters away we saw the famous Common Kestrel perched on the top of a tree.
 |
| Common Kestrel |
 |
| Common Kestrel |
 |
| Common Kestrel |
 |
| Common Kestrel |
 |
| Common Kestrel |
It gave us some very near and clear views. After a while it also landed on the ground in front of us to give us some ground shots.
 |
| Common Kestrel |
Just before leaving we saw a lark and pied bushchat
 |
| Paddyfield Pipit |
 |
| Pied Bushchat |
We started back by 12:30 and went to satellite bus stand to catch a bus to Mysore.
It was a good birding day with a new bird giving us multiple sightings from near quarters, the blue faced Malkoha and Common Kestrel giving very nice views.
Have a look at following album for more pictures
 |
| 2011-12-25 Hessarghatta |
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