The ancient Kamalapur tank built by the Vijayanagar kings near Hampi and also at Hallikere, a tank adjacent to Kannada University, is a visual treat for passers-by. They have been lucky to get a glimpse of the greater flamingos, which have flocked, albeit in small numbers, from a close vicinity.
Ballari district and the surrounding areas, particularly the backwaters of Tungabhadra dam, are a haven for quite a few migratory birds.
The greater flamingos, known for their majestic looks, migrate from Rann of Kutch in Gujarat during winter. They are known to congregate at Pulicat lake in Tamil Nadu and migrate back to Gujarat after winter. Since Ballari district has many waterbodies, it has become a transit point for the birds.
Samad Kottur, a bird-watcher, researcher and author of the book ‘Birds of Hampi’, says: “For the past 15 years, we have been constantly observing a small group of greater flamingos not returning to Gujarat as they have to take care of the young ones. Secondly, Ballari district’s environment is conducive and have been adopted by these birds,” he observes.
According to him, with the water-level in the backwaters of Tungabhadra dam increasing, these birds, which feed on crustaceans, molluscs, algae, shrimps, worms, blue green algae, and seeds that are found in shallow waters and slushy banks of the tanks, flock to other waterbodies in the district.
They were also sighted at the Daroji tank and at impounding reservoir in Kuditini village very recently.
