On 13th April, a sunny Monday, we (PNLIT trustees) saw water entering Puttenahalli Lake from the rainwater diversion channel at the lake entrance near the Brigade Millennium arch. It was so little that we thought it to be the usual wash from the adjacent MLR Convention Centre. However, a couple of days later when we found it increasing in volume and forming a black stinking mass in front of the diversion channel at the lake bed, we immediately informed BWSSB and BBMP. BWSSB's Junior Engineer, Mr. Nagaraj came to inspect the spot. He said that the sewage drain connected to…
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We are delighted to report the sighting of our winter visitor, the Garganey Duck. On 3rd Dec. when we went to the Puttenahalli lake at 3 p.m. we saw four of them. Typical of its highly territorial nature, the Eurasian Coot, one of our resident species was busy chasing the ducks away. The quartet merely flew a short distance and made themselves comfortable once again. We hope they are joined by more of their ilk. To know more about this migratory species, see here. The Garganey was sighted at Puttenahalli Lake for the first time in 2011, an event which was…
Read moreWe are delighted to report the sighting of our winter visitor, the Garganey Duck. On 3rd Dec. when we went to the Puttenahalli lake at 3 p.m. we saw four of them. Typical of its highly territorial nature, the Eurasian Coot, one of our resident species was busy chasing the ducks away. The quartet merely flew a short distance and made themselves comfortable once again. We hope they are joined by more of their ilk. To know more about this migratory species, see here. The Garganey was sighted at Puttenahalli Lake for the first time in 2011, an event which was…
Read moreEmail to the bngbirds egroup: It was very pleasant to be able to go to Kaikondrahalli Kere after a long time and find that, apart from the dumping and levelling going on down one side of it, the lake is generally still well-maintained. An ambling walk of a couple of hours was very productive from the birding point of view, and we watched the nesting behaviour of the Great Cormorants, and the fishing by almost all of the waterfowl. Several juvenile Brahminy Kites, swooping at the surface of the water now and then, provided the raptor touch. The flock of…
Read moreEmail to the bngbirds egroup: It was very pleasant to be able to go to Kaikondrahalli Kere after a long time and find that, apart from the dumping and levelling going on down one side of it, the lake is generally still well-maintained. An ambling walk of a couple of hours was very productive from the birding point of view, and we watched the nesting behaviour of the Great Cormorants, and the fishing by almost all of the waterfowl. Several juvenile Brahminy Kites, swooping at the surface of the water now and then, provided the raptor touch. The flock of…
Read moreRaja Bandi writes: A couple of my friends went birding at Hebbal lake on 21st October 2014 at around 6.30 am. There were people around jogging and walking etc. While birding, a guy turned up with a broken bottle and a wooden stick and demanded money. He emptied their wallets and then started checking their belongings. They were carrying dslr camera and binoculars. Luckily, one of them took the courage to turn against the mugger and grabbed the stick off him. In the process the mugger fell down. After taking a couple of hits to his shoulder the mugger then…
Read moreRaja Bandi writes: A couple of my friends went birding at Hebbal lake on 21st October 2014 at around 6.30 am. There were people around jogging and walking etc. While birding, a guy turned up with a broken bottle and a wooden stick and demanded money. He emptied their wallets and then started checking their belongings. They were carrying dslr camera and binoculars. Luckily, one of them took the courage to turn against the mugger and grabbed the stick off him. In the process the mugger fell down. After taking a couple of hits to his shoulder the mugger then…
Read moreWater divining is the detection of under ground water without actually digging into the ground. The "diviner" locates water with the help of rules that he/she has inherited or learnt and/ or tools like coconuts, rods, pendulums and the like. Some use the geophysical survey approach, which may sound more scientific than the ancient methods. During my childhood, when we were going to dig a well in our house in Richmond Town, my father had called a diviner. I recall how fascinated we were when we saw how, with the help of a gold chain, he identified a couple…
Read moreWater divining is the detection of under ground water without actually digging into the ground. The "diviner" locates water with the help of rules that he/she has inherited or learnt and/ or tools like coconuts, rods, pendulums and the like. Some use the geophysical survey approach, which may sound more scientific than the ancient methods. During my childhood, when we were going to dig a well in our house in Richmond Town, my father had called a diviner. I recall how fascinated we were when we saw how, with the help of a gold chain, he identified a couple…
Read moreWhat a truly delightful evening it was on the 9th, celebrating the magic of monsoon with some 30 children! The 20 member team from Snehadhara Foundation (SF) led by Geetu had come well in advance to welcome the children. Despite the fact that only 4 or 5 kids had arrived on time, we began the event at the scheduled time of 5 p.m. The late-comers missed the warming up and sing along. Adult and child alike sat on the floor of the Gazebo and introductions began with each participant adding an "O" or "Aa" to their names. Geetu dramatized…
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