Report on the Nature Walk by Bijoy Venugopal on Nov 16th @ Puttenahalli Lake, JP Nagar

[Puttenahalli Lake Events]

Dear All,

This morning's Nature walk led by Mr. Bijoy Venugopal — travel writer, nature educator, and founder-editor of The Green Ogre — proved exceptionally rewarding at Puttenahalli Lake, with the sighting of one infrequently seen Striated heron and another, Hoopoe, recorded for the first time in over a decade of systematic observation at this lake.

Organised by the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT), the walk drew 35–40 participants spanning all age groups: young children, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens. A noticeable number were attending their very first organised nature walk. Enthusiasm was palpable throughout; beginners and seasoned birders alike remained fully engaged from the 7:00 AM start until the group finally dispersed between 10:00 and 10:10 AM.

The sequence of the two star sightings unfolded on the exposed rocks near the wetland:

First, a single Eurasian Hoopoe landed in the open, giving the leading section of the group a few tense but thrilling seconds to observe and photograph it before it took off and vanished — the first confirmed record of the species at the lake. Minutes later, in almost the same spot, a Striated Heron was discovered hunting among the rocks. Superbly camouflaged, it remained in position for an extended period, allowing the entire group excellent, prolonged views through binoculars and cameras — another first for Puttenahalli Lake.

Children clutching printed bird pamphlets were often the quickest to spot and call out species, while first-time participants repeatedly expressed amazement at the diversity visible within our city limits. Regular lake visitors highlighted that these additions reflect the continued improvement of the lake’s habitat since community conservation efforts began.

Bijoy Venugopal’s knowledgeable and inclusive guiding style received widespread praise. Participants requested more frequent walks, and PNLIT has confirmed that the next events will be announced shortly through their mailing list and social-media channels.

Birds recorded during the morning:
•  Eurasian Hoopoe (first lake record)
•  Striated Heron
•  Painted Stork (one in flight)
•  Asiatic Openbill Stork
•  Purple Heron
•  Grey Heron
•  White-breasted Waterhen
•  Purple Swamphen
•  Little Grebe
•  Eurasian Coot
•  Spot-billed Duck
•  Little Cormorant
•  Great Cormorant
•  Darter
•  White-throated Kingfisher
•  Shikra (perched)
•  Black Kite
•  Brahminy Kite
•  Greater Coucal
•  Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher
•  Red-wattled Lapwing
•  Grey Wagtail 

PFA some pictures from the walk.

Report by Vishnu Srinivas

Pic credits - JN Prasad, Vishnu Srinivas, Goutam Saha, Timmanna