Environ

Fig: Foraging Terns & Cormorants

The Sule kere lake is one of the largest in Mandya district, situated nearby Mandya town. Water level will be up to brim throughout the year. Feeder canal from KRS dam and used waters from Mandya town and Sugar factory ensures water level.

The tank supports large congregations of four species of Egret- Egretta garzetta, Casmerodius albus, Mesophoyx intermedia, Bubulcus ibis; three species of Duck- Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata and Garganey Anas querquedula; three species of Cormorant- Phalacrocorax niger, P. fuscicollis & P. Carbo; Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus, Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio, Common Coot Fulica atra, Bar headed Goose Anser indicus and Brown-headed Gulls Larus brunnicephalus. Thus prioritised as important bird area, IBA CODE:IN-KA-34

The Lake has important role as foraging ground for breeding Spot-billed Pelicans at nearby Kokkare Bellur.

Mandya sector checklist is inclusive of this heronry

Fig: Reef Heron some time arrives during winter found here with Egrets

References and further reading:

  1. Islam, M.Z. & A.R. Rahmani. 2005. Important Bird Areas in India: Priority sites for conservation. Mumbai: Indian Bird Conservation Network: Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International (UK). P 574.
  2. Pittie, Aasheesh, 2011. Bibliography of South Asian Ornithology. http://www.southasiaornith.in.
  3. Prasad, J. N.; Karthikeyan, S.; Subramanya, S. 1994. Incident involving a snake and a Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (Linn.). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 90(2): 285
  4. Serrao, J. S. 1976. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 16(3): 14–15
  5. Shivanand, T.; Shivaprakash, A. 2004. Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea winters at Chamundi Hill and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mysore, South India. Newsletter for Ornithologists. 1(4): 54–56
  6. Shivaprakash, A. 2005. Distribution, density and Threats to Barheaded Goose in Mysore, Mandya and Chamaranagar districts, Southern Karnataka. Newsletter for Birdwatchers: 45(5):80.
  7. Thejaswi, S. & A. Shivaprakash. 2004c. Status of the Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Pallas in the Wetlands of the Kaveri basin of Karnataka. J. Bombay Nat. Hist.Soc. 101(3): 447-450.