Wanted to go out somewhere for the long weekend last week. But then, being people who plan things “well ahead”, we hadn’t booked any rooms or even finalised the location. 
Last minute calls to places in Chikmangalur and Yercaud made us realise we are not the only ones wishing for a break. Well, we can’t sit home all three days though, right? Hence came up the name of this place which is pretty close to Bangalore and yet we hadn’t visited – Kokkare Bellur. It is a small village around 90km from Bangalore, where migratory birds come in during February/March. We were at the end of March and it made sense to visit.
The initial enthusiasm gave way to skepticism as we started hitting blog after blog talking about the place having no birds even in Feb/Mar. Even friends who visited the place were like “are you sure you want to go there?”. Luckily, there was this one with some neat advice.
We were in for a pleasant surprise as we drove into a village with hundreds (if not thousands) of painted storks and quite a few pelicans. Here are some tips, if you plan to go.
- On the way to Mysore, the diversion is around 75 km from Bangalore. Watch out for a left turn, some 4 km after the place you find quite a few restaurants – Cafe Coffee Day, Kamath Restaurant, etc.
- Start early (around 4.30 am) and reach by 6.30 or 7 am. It is no use expecting the birds to wait for you when you drag your lazy ass there at 11am.
- Better pack breakfast and take as there are no good restaurants in the viicinity of Kokkare Bellur
- There is a small river nearby, where you can relax
- Kids in the village will offer to help/guide and expect tips. Keep some change.
- And the general advisory for any trip in Karnataka: learn a bit of basic Kannada as people around there does not understand any other language
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- Pelican
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- Stork @ Dawn
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- Storks Talking
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
neat pictures saj
@sandeep,
thank you!
hii,,,
This is Devaraju.M from Kokkarebellur….
Now season is Starts Pelicons are there but still Painted starks are not come still….
End of the January is the best time for see the birds
If any more information Please Call me….9880317149 and 9591125400
Hi Saj,
Nice pics and good run down of what to expect .. Just wanted a small correction from the blog made “Kids offer help and during the time I was there about 9 children were asking for Pen/Pencils rather than money” .. So please carry some pen/pencils if anyone wants to visit …
Again .. Good pics posted ..
Thanks,
Abhi
@Abhi,
Glad to know it helped. Thank you for the updated tip.
I recently visited Kokkere Bellur. I suggest you visit after jan 15th. Read abt my trip there at: http://www.travelingbeats.com/blog/trip-kokkere-bellur-bird-pictures
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