I have never been a keen bird- watcher. When I do get a chance I never miss an opportunity to capture theme in my camera.
As an exception, I always wanted to watch Pink Flamingos in their natural habitat.
Never had I thought I would see one, other than in a bird sanctuary, than I had stumbled upon an Instagram feed that posted pictures of Greater Flamingos that had migrated from the land of Kutch to one of the driest cities in North Karnataka- Raichur.
Hard to believe but many lakes and tanks located in the outskirts of Raichur get numerous species of migratory birds between the months of November to April/May.
Greater Flamingos an be spotted between January to May after which they go back to Kutch for breeding.
Fields on the way to Raichur...
First glimpse of the lake
One such lake in the outskirts of Raichur (between Raichur- Hyderabad highway) is the Manchalapura Lake in the village of Manchalapura.
Though our Google road map pointed towards the village, even before we could reach our destination we (my best partners in all trips- hubby and daughter) spotted the pink beauties (not all were pink though) and realized that no other spot could be as closer as the place we were in. In an instant we were out of the car and were walking through dried up part of the lake.
After few minutes we were on our senses to realize not all parts where we were walking was dry. At places it was still swampy. We had suddenly stopped walking as we were unsure of the water levels. It was nicely camouflaged under the grass. We finally stationed ourselves at a safe spot from where we could enjoy the flock of flamingos.
Flamingos
A closer look of the Flamingos
It was not a surprise why these birds could have chosen the lake as their home for few months. Not a single soul to be seen around the lake! We three were the only insane people who had driven 200 kms just to get glimpse of these birds.
Black-winged Stilt
Black Drongo
After spending more than an hour near the lake, we headed towards the actual Manchalapura village hoping to find more birds. But it was a vain effort as it was difficult to get near the lake through that route. As usual, our hungry stomachs had started rumbling pushing towards a local restaurant- Halli Oota that served authentic Jowari rotis and North Karnataka styled pooran polis. Gorging on the scrumptious food we had headed back to Hyderabad finding on the way few more varieties of birds, tasted some very sweet local watermelons and a palm tree full of weaver bird nests.
Green Bee-Eater
Interesting interiors of the Halli Oota Restaurant
Weaver bird nests
As an exception, I always wanted to watch Pink Flamingos in their natural habitat.
Never had I thought I would see one, other than in a bird sanctuary, than I had stumbled upon an Instagram feed that posted pictures of Greater Flamingos that had migrated from the land of Kutch to one of the driest cities in North Karnataka- Raichur.
Hard to believe but many lakes and tanks located in the outskirts of Raichur get numerous species of migratory birds between the months of November to April/May.
Greater Flamingos an be spotted between January to May after which they go back to Kutch for breeding.
Fields on the way to Raichur...
First glimpse of the lake
One such lake in the outskirts of Raichur (between Raichur- Hyderabad highway) is the Manchalapura Lake in the village of Manchalapura.
Though our Google road map pointed towards the village, even before we could reach our destination we (my best partners in all trips- hubby and daughter) spotted the pink beauties (not all were pink though) and realized that no other spot could be as closer as the place we were in. In an instant we were out of the car and were walking through dried up part of the lake.
After few minutes we were on our senses to realize not all parts where we were walking was dry. At places it was still swampy. We had suddenly stopped walking as we were unsure of the water levels. It was nicely camouflaged under the grass. We finally stationed ourselves at a safe spot from where we could enjoy the flock of flamingos.
Flamingos
A closer look of the Flamingos
It was not a surprise why these birds could have chosen the lake as their home for few months. Not a single soul to be seen around the lake! We three were the only insane people who had driven 200 kms just to get glimpse of these birds.
Black-winged Stilt
Black Drongo
After spending more than an hour near the lake, we headed towards the actual Manchalapura village hoping to find more birds. But it was a vain effort as it was difficult to get near the lake through that route. As usual, our hungry stomachs had started rumbling pushing towards a local restaurant- Halli Oota that served authentic Jowari rotis and North Karnataka styled pooran polis. Gorging on the scrumptious food we had headed back to Hyderabad finding on the way few more varieties of birds, tasted some very sweet local watermelons and a palm tree full of weaver bird nests.
Green Bee-Eater
Interesting interiors of the Halli Oota Restaurant
Weaver bird nests
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