Kokkrebellur

About 80 km to the East of Mysore is a tiny nondescript village called Kokkrebellur with dusty roads and tiled houses. But what makes it a popular birding destination is the fact that painted storks and spot-billed pelicans arrive here every winter to nest, lay eggs and wait for the hatchlings to fly before migrating again. They have been arriving like clockwork from faraway lands for centuries, from as far as Siberia some speculate, and occupy all the tree tops, making for a surreal and incredible scene. They can be seen flying around, flapping and swooping, making a din at times and yet living in perfect harmony with the villagers who treat the birds like guests and care for any little ones that fall out of the nest or in trouble. The best way to observe these creatures is to walk around the village quietly and watch them go about their routine.