The Kokkere Bellur Pelicanry near Maddur
Trip Start
Unknown
1
5
7
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Kokkere Bellur Pelicanry, Maddur, Mandya Distt., Karnataka
Kokrebellur, Karnātaka, India
Thursday, June 11, 2009
We decided to detour via Kokkere Bellur [Kokrebellur] village – reportedly one of the five major pelican breeding sites in the world. Taking the signposted rural road shortly after Maddur we traversed the depleted Thyllur Lake.
Painted storks were flying around in formation. The road condition deteriorated badly after a while with no signs of Kokrebellur village in the near distance. After what seemed like eternity, we reached a cross roads with a signboard bearing a crude drawing of a pelican. The locals here told us, or rather told our driver in Kannada, that all the birds were on the trees in their village nearby. We proceeded on foot into the village.
A small crowd of excited school children immediately surrounded us, desperately trying to speak to us in Kannada. After repeating "Pelican" and “stork” several times, they pointed to the nearby trees which sure enough, were filled with painted storks.
One of the young lads shook his head with a halting “Pelicans – January, now No”.
I wonder if we will ever return. The children were very sweet, and most excited when I promised send them their photos to the village post office. Bidding them farewell, we set off. More information about this unique place at:
http://naturerambles.blogspot.com/2008/12/pelicans-at-kokkere-bellur.html
http://www.geocities.com/mysoreamateurnaturalists/man/projectpelican.html
http://www.asima.org.in/pdf/Kokrebellur-the%20Haven%20for%20Spot-billed%20Pelicans.pdf.
The way back to the highway seemed a lot faster. The heavens opened up from here almost all the way upto the Bangalore airport. Whoever coined the term “pre monsoon showers” needs their head examining! Nonetheless, it was a welcome change from the oppressive Bombay weather.
All in all, this was a very pleasant, unanticipated short break from Bangalore. I am not sure if I will return to Coorg. Getting there is tiresome and in my opinion, the plantation / forest areas of Idukki district in Kerala have a lot more to offer, besides being easier to reach. A plantation homestay in Coorg might be interesting though. We will definitely return to Mysore one day, and also do the Nagarhole run.
