A Hidden Bird Paradise #HiddenGem

We weren't planning to visit this place when we first drafted our plan for Hampi.
But one of our local friend convinced us otherwise.
And what a place this turned out to be.
A bird lovers paradise and a solitude seekers go to place; truly a hidden gem.

Located just around 50 kms away from Hampi, Ankasamudra Bird Reserve is situated in the back waters of the Tungabhadra dam. It is situated in the Bellary district of Karnataka.

It is a classic example of how an abandoned lake became a hotspot for nesting birds.
Hundreds of Rosy Starlings, painted storks, open billed storks, Northern Shovelors, Northern Pintails, Sand pipers, cormorants, parakeets, egrets, ibis, herons and many more birds can be seen here. Sunrise and Sunset are the best time to visit so one can see the birds either setting out for their day or returning to their homes.
Flocks of birds cover the entire blue sky, and oh what a picturesque view it is!
The shallow water and the thorny Karijali trees provided an ideal roosting location for birds.
It is the only such place for nesting birds in the entire Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
Ankasamudra tank, about two decades ago, was dry and was being encroached upon. To prevent this, the Forest Department planted Acacia Nilotica (Kari jali ). This place then a roosting place for many migratory birds.

There is a watchtower built here by the forest department which allows to catch a glimpse of the surreal sunset.

Over the years, the place, with thorny trees, became a safe spot for local and rare and migratory birds to roost. A couple of years ago, the tank filled up owing to heavy rain and through a special scheme, it remained continuously filled.

There is a tree which seen from the watchtower which is completely white. We thought its a white tree, but we're told that it's just a normal tree turned white from all the bird faeces 😅.