Birdwatchers' Field Club of Bangalore
The Birdwatchers' Field Club of Bangalore is a birdwatching club in Bangalore founded in the 1970s. The group has been active in conducting mid-winter waterfowl censuses. The club was also involved in a survey of wetlands around Bangalore in collaboration with the Forest Department of the Karnataka state and was involved in a comprehensive survey of water quality parameters including chemical, physical and biological status. The results of this survey helped in the creation of action plans for wetland conservation and have helped in highlighting the roles of wetlands in cities.
An informal organization, it meets every second Sunday of the month at 7:30 AM in the Lalbagh Glass House. No membership fees or other formalities are needed to be a part of the group.
Another trip on the 4th Sunday of every month is made to chosen locations and intimations for this trip are made on the email discussion group.
Nearly 350 species of birds have been recorded from the Bangalore region of which around 60 species may be seen with ease.
Some of the favourite birding locations in and around Bangalore include
- Nandi Hills - (50 km away) a good habitat for thrushes and forest birds
- Lalbagh Botanical gardens - provides garden and wetland habitats
- Thippagondanahalli reservoir - (30 km away) deep water lake with open countryside (permission required)
- Hebbal Lake - wetland with numerous waterbirds, especially good in winter
- Puttenahalli Lake - near Yelahanka - small waterbody with surprising birdlife
- Bannerghatta National Park - scrub and forest habitat (permission required)
- Valley School - scrub and forest habitat (private property)
- UAS-GKVK campus - scrub and agricultural land (permission required)
- UAS-Hebbal campus - agricultural and garden land (permission required)