Greater flamingos were seen for the first time at Kere Bhosga

Painted storks spotted at SB lake during Kalaburagi bird count event. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The four-day Karnataka Rajyotsava Bird Count (KRBC), an eBird initiative held from October 30 to November 2, recorded 139 bird species and produced 79 checklists involving 18 birds, highlighting the bird diversity of the region. A major highlight was the first sighting of greater flamingos at Bhosga Kere.

A bird walk to mark the occasion was organized by the local group Winged Endeavors as part of the first national eBird initiative; The objective of the exercise was to document the bird diversity of Karnataka and record 62 species across the city during bird encounters.

Painted storks spotted at SB lake during Kalaburagi bird count event. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

KS Aishwarya of Winged Endeavors led the participants on a bird walk around various locations including lakes and bird watching spots in the city, introducing them to bird watching and encouraging them to document the local birds.

Among the species recorded were the purple heron, the tern and the common grebe. Migratory visitors included Greater Flamingo, Sandpiper, Northern Shoveler and Roseate Starling.

Explaining the migration patterns of the birds, Ms. Aishwarya said the movement was mainly due to lack of food. The depletion of food resources in their original habitats has forced the birds to move to areas offering better feeding opportunities. Some destinations also served as nesting sites, improving the survival prospects of their young, she said.

Kalaburagi’s relatively mild winters make it a suitable seasonal habitat for migratory birds escaping severe frosts in their native areas. Winter visitors are generally seen in the region from October to early March, she added.

The northern shoveler migrates from Russia, Siberia, Europe and Central Asia, while the common sandpiper arrives from Europe and northern Asia. Greater flamingos visit from parts of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, and the Middle East. Pink starlings arrive from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, attracted by cereals and insects.

Systematic documentation helps understand their seasonal movements and distribution, they said. Sightings uploaded to eBird provide useful data for researchers and conservationists studying bird diversity and migration patterns.

Published – 06 Nov 2026 23:01 IST