All Women Nature Walk – 16th Outing at Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK)
We just wrapped up another amazing outing with the Bangalore Chapter of All Women Nature Walks! Our 17th adventure took place this past Sunday at Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK), and what a morning it was. About 35 of us came together, joined by the wonderful folks from the GKVK Birding Club.
We kicked things off by forming a circle where everyone shared a little something about themselves – it’s always our favorite way to break the ice and create that sense of community right from the start. Ananya Deshkar, who is pursuing her Ph.D. in agricultural science at GKVK, introduced us to the campus’s history, the various studies conducted here, and how the habitat has changed over time. She explained how students and visitors have contributed bird observations through eBird, which has helped build scientific knowledge of this area. This campus ranks number one among birding hotspots in India!
Before hitting the trails, we took a moment to center ourselves. We all closed our eyes together and just listened – to the birds calling, leaves rustling, and all the subtle sounds of nature waking up around us. It was such a simple practice but reminded us all how much more we notice when we engage all our senses.
We split into three smaller groups, each with experienced birders leading the way. As we wandered the paths together, we stopped to appreciate fragrant flowering trees and the informative signs outside the GKVK Botanical Garden that highlighted various trees and birds in the area.
A highlight of the walk was spotting a male Indian Peafowl, its long train elegantly held above the ground as it strutted by. This sparked a discussion about why peacocks keep their feathers elevated while walking and why they shed their train feathers after the breeding season.
We stopped by an information board showing a Jungle Myna and discussed how to tell the difference between Common and Jungle Mynas – both species we regularly see around Bangalore. We also reflected on how citizen science observations on eBird have helped answer questions like which bird is most common in India (the Common Myna!) and why peafowl populations are increasing.
Another memorable moment was seeing a striking rufous male Indian Paradise Flycatcher, its long streamers trailing gracefully as it darted after insects. Sunbirds and flowerpeckers flitted about, while Mynas, Large-billed Crows, and Greater Coucals provided excellent views. Some of us were lucky enough to spot a female Black-headed Cuckooshrike, and a lively flock of Small Minivets added to the excitement.
Termite mounds became a point of curiosity, sparking conversations about their role as indicators of healthy ecosystems. These structure are super-strong but also porous. The tiny holes in the mound are important because they let fresh air in, keeping the termites’ home cool and comfortable, even underground. Deep inside this mound lives the Queen termite. She’s the biggest termite and her only job is to lay thousands of eggs, ensuring the colony continues. We discussed how these structures improve soil quality and provide vital refuges and nesting sites for wildlife such as snakes, mongooses, and monitor lizards.
We also observed fungi and lichens on tree trunks. This led to a conversation about how thriving lichen communities signal forest stability and ecological continuity, indicating minimal disturbance over time.
Though the walk was relatively short, it was packed with observations and educational discussions. By the end, we had seen various birds, plants, insects, and spiders, and strengthened our connections with nature and with each other.
—————————————————-
Useful links
- Bird lists for this walk (coming soon)
- Architectural secrets of termite mounds
- Downloadable Pocket Guide on Insects and Spiders by Vena Kapoor
- Bird Pocket Guides by Early Bird
- Merlin Bird ID App
- eBird App
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Ananya Deshkar, Chandrima Home, and Nisha Bhakat for leading the walks!
Ready to reconnect with nature? We’d love to have you join our next walk
- Stay up-to-date on upcoming walks and events by following us on Instagram
- Have any questions? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]
