AWNW: Doddanekundi Lake Bangalore Walk Recap

Here is a recap of All Women Nature Walk (AWNW) held at Doddanekundi Lake in June 2024.

AWNW (Bangalore Chapter) held its 10th outing at Doddanekundi Lake on 9 June, 2024, and around 25 women came together for this walk. It was a morning filled with bird songs, fascinating talks, and a healthy dose of fresh air. June is a special time to see many of India’s resident birds busy performing various breeding activities. From building nests to feeding their chicks and keeping away threats, it’s a fascinating time to watch birds in action. This very activity was the inspiration behind the lakeside location, offering participants a front-row seat to observe these breeding birds in all their glory, including the stunning breeding plumage of water birds like egrets and herons.

The morning kicked off with introductions, followed by a talk by resident birders Santhi K. and Geeta Viswanathan. They shared their knowledge about the lake’s history and the changes it has undergone.

Then came the moment we were all waiting for – birdwatching!  We started with some common urban birds perched on the branches of two almost-leafless Peepal (Ficus religiosa) trees. Thanks to a handy spotting scope, everyone got clear views of the beautiful Coppersmith Barbet and the White-cheeked Barbet. Black Kite, Black Drongo, and Oriental Magpie Robin were some of the first birds we spotted. We also looked at various trees and talked about their natural history. 

The adventure didn’t stop there! The group marveled at Common Picturewing dragonflies and a breathtaking cluster of Dark Blue Tiger butterflies, thanks to Ms. Santhi’s keen eye. Even adorable Spotted Owlets made an appearance!

Fascinating Encounters:

• Ant-Treehopper Symbiosis: We observed a fascinating example of mutualism – a Thorn-mimic treehopper being cared for by ants. Learn more about this incredible relationship here. Also, Shrusti could capture this amazing video during the walk! Click here to see.
• Common Picturewing Dragonfly: This beautiful golden yellow-black dragonfly species was quite a treat to see during the walk. (Read more in this interesting article by Roundglass Sustain)
• Milkweed Butterfly Migration: A large congregation of milkweed butterflies was a special treat. These butterflies migrate from the Western Ghats to the plains during the southwest monsoon season (April-June), explaining the abundance of Dark Blue Tigers, Plain Tigers, and Crows we witnessed. Read more about this phenomenon in The Hindu.
• Click here to see the full list of birds seen during this walk: https://ebird.org/checklist/S180316427

PC: Shrusti Heroor

Click here to see recap of May 2024 walk.

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Banner Image: Women on a nature walk at Doddanekundi Lake, Bangalore. PC: Shrusti Heroor