A flock of Garganey ducks took off from Kolleru Lake on Wednesday. The forest department has started the annual bird census at the lake. | Photo credit: KVS GIRI
A two-day bird count at Kolleru Lake began on Wednesday (Jan 28), attracting wildlife officials and nature lovers to one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, which is a lifeline for thousands of migratory birds every winter.
Joint teams of forest department officials, environmental experts, local volunteers and bird watchers began documenting bird species, population strength, nesting behavior and habitat conditions. Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) B. Vijaya said the data will play a vital role in shaping conservation strategies, enhancing habitat protection and addressing threats such as encroachment and pollution.
The count will end Friday, with a break scheduled for Thursday, after which the findings will be analyzed and shared with state and national conservation agencies. The first day of the census revealed a rich bird diversity across wetlands and reservoirs, underscoring the ecological importance of the Koller region.
Northern pintail was seen in Pallewada and flamingos in Madhavapuram. Warblers and stilts were seen along the border between Dosapadu and Kovvali, and nearly 200 warblers were counted along with black stilts at Bobbili Lanka. In the Nidamarru region, colored storks and herons were found nesting and foraging, while deities were again found at Sriparra and Bobbili Lanka, indicating favorable wetland conditions.
Officials also identified roseate shepherds, bee-eaters, glossy ibises, mynas, hornbills, shrikes, open storks, egrets, black-winged stilts and painted storks in the Adavikolan area. The census also documented the presence of whistling teals, brown-winged jacanas, pheasant-tailed jacanas, coots, purple sparrows, gray herons, plovers, roseate plovers, sandpipers and grebes, along with large numbers of larks, weavers, starlings and herons. Notably, higher populations of black-tailed godwits, northern shovelers, gargoyles and about 15 flamingos were recorded. A rare Grey-headed Lapwing was spotted in China Yedlagadi, forest officials said.
The goal of the annual census is to assess the overall health of the wetland ecosystem and monitor changes in bird populations, especially migratory species that arrive in Koller during the winter months from Siberia, Central Asia and Europe. Species such as pelicans, painted storks, spotted ducks, egrets and egrets are expected to feature prominently in this year’s census, reaffirming Kolleru Lake’s status as one of India’s most important bird habitats.
Published – 28 Jan 2026 21:01 IST
