Calling all Birders in Bengaluru to Observe and Document Birds of the Hesaraghatta Landscape!

28 August 2022

The countdown has begun for the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife to take a final call on the status of Hesaraghatta Grasslands as a Conservation Reserve. The board under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister will meet on September 5 to decide whether to stick to its earlier decision of cancelling the proposal to notify it as a Conservation Reserve, or to accord the status. Click here to know more…

We request all Bengaluru birders to visit Hesaraghatta on a single day (28 August 2022) and survey multiple habitats so that we can understand the wealth of biodiversity in this unique landscape, and inform the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife to the best of our ability. 

Where: Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru 

When: 28 August 2022, Meeting point: 7 am at Hesaraghatta Travelers Bungalow

What:  The Hesaraghatta lake and its associated grasslands form perhaps the most diverse natural area in the vicinity of Bengaluru City. Situated in the north-west of Bangalore, the site is home to over 250 species. 

Why: Birders are joining hands to document Hesaraghatta’s rich flora and fauna to save the city’s finest bird habitat, which is also one of the last big lung spaces for the large population living in Bengaluru. 

Here is a chance for us all to work-up a single day list of birds (a trip report with images) recorded on the platform eBird by multiple teams spanning across the length and breadth of the area. Our collective efforts may even influence the members of the board.

If you are a birder residing in Bengaluru, please join us this Sunday, 28th August at Hesaraghatta for this unique birdwalk! 

How: 

1. Participants will assemble at the entry gate at sharp 7 am. (Click here to see the Google Map link of the meeting point)
2. Teams will be made and each team can cover different areas of Hesaraghatta Landscape.
3. Count the birds seen or heard, document them in checklists, and upload the checklists using the eBird Mobile App. Please ensure that at least one person in each team is familiar with the eBird platform.
4. Provide your eBird IDs to the organizers before beginning the survey.
5. All checklists should be of at least 15 minutes duration, should include counts, and should be ‘complete’. A ‘complete’ list should include every species that you saw or heard during the period of the checklist (and were able to identify to the best of your ability) including common birds like Crows and Mynas.
6. Those interested are requested to join this WhatsApp chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EVJmzasghUb03SQL3QjNyB

 Here are a list of eBird Hotspots from the Hesaraghatta Landscape where birders are encouraged to visit.
– Lake:  https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L2525708
– Grassland: https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L2648549
– Scrub-forest: https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L4170003
– Mathakur Area: https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L2601406
– Nrityagram Road: https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L15887541
– ICAR Area): https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L13312451

This event is organised by BNG Birds in association with Bird Count India

Header Image: Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos © Prabhakar Manjunath/ Macaulay Library