Sankey Tank

Welcome back to another edition of our urban exploration series! For this chapter of the marathon, we find ourselves at Sankey Tank, a peaceful 37-acre oasis nestled gracefully between the historic neighborhoods of Malleshwaram and Sadashivanagar. Built originally in 1882 to safeguard the city against water shortages, this iconic man-made reservoir has transformed into a premier sanctuary for joggers, nature photographers, and birdwatchers.

The well-maintained perimeter pathway provides the perfect, low-impact stride for our marathon laps. While keeping pace along the tree-lined tracks, you easily forget the surrounding hustle of Bengaluru.

Sankey Tank: Sunset view & Night View

Sankey Tank: Monsoon

Visiting Sankey Tank throughout the year reveals a shifting, dynamic ecosystem. The monsoon brings lush, vibrant greenery and full, rippling waters. Summer draws out active reptiles, mammals, and shimmering surface fish, while the crisp winter months turn the lake into a bustling highway for migratory birds. Here is a look at the incredible biodiversity I have collectively documented across these changing seasons:

The Golden Hour Finale

The blazing sun hung like a pristine, glowing orb in an expansive canvas of deep amber and burning gold. Silhouetted against the brilliant evening sky, the dark outlines of the lakeside trees and streetlamps stood frozen in a moment of pure serenity.

The Brahminy Kite

Perched high upon the dry branches overlooking the water, a magnificent Brahminy Kite kept a watchful eye over the lake. Its contrasting snow-white head and rich chestnut-brown plumage glowed beautifully against the pale morning sky as it waited for the perfect moment to swoop down.

Brahminy Kite

The Great Cormorant

Out on the calm waters, a sleek Great Cormorant found the perfect resting spot right atop the lake's floating fountain infrastructure. With its glistening, jet-black feathers reflecting softly in the morning ripples, it stood perfectly still, taking a brief break from diving deep for its morning catch.

Greater Cormorant

Nesting Cormorant

High up in a split, weathered tree fork rising directly out of the lake, a Great Cormorant was meticulously tending to its large, woven nest of twigs and reeds. Securely elevated above the water, this safe haven highlights how seamlessly the local wildlife utilizes the lake's mature trees for the nesting season.

Domestic Swan Geese

Resting comfortably along the rocky shoreline were a striking pair of domestic Swan Geese, distinctive by the prominent dark knobs at the base of their bills and elegant long necks. Their patterned, earth-toned feathers blended effortlessly with the surrounding boulders and vegetation as they watched the water together.

Domestic Swan Geese

Common Moorhen (Swamphen)

Scurrying along the muddy edges of the water were a few Common Moorhens, foraging actively among the small pebbles. Their dark slate-gray bodies, bright red facial shields, and yellow legs made them stand out beautifully as they darted between the shoreline rocks and the lake's surface.

Swamphen

American Pekin Ducks

Gliding effortlessly across the smooth, glassy surface of the water, a beautiful domestic American Pekin Duck stole the spotlight. Its pristine, snow-white feathers and bright orange bill stood out brilliantly against the dark lake, leaving a gentle wake of ripples as it swam in perfect tranquility.

American Pekins Ducks

Crows at Dusk

As the light continued to soften, a group of Common Crows gathered on the bare, skeletal branches of a dead tree rising from the water. Silhouetted starkly against the fading, warm-tinted sky, their sharp outlines added a dramatic, moody element to the lake's evening landscape.

Common Crows

The Little Egret

Wading gracefully through the shallow waters near the lakebed, a stunning Little Egret put on a spectacular show. Its slender, pure-white body stood out vividly against the cool grey of the water as it carefully lifted each dark leg, stalking its tiny prey with absolute precision and elegance.

Little Egret

The Black Kite

Tucked away safely within the dense canopy of a lakeside tree, a large Black Kite watched the bustling marathon trail below with sharp, piercing eyes. Its deep brown, mottled feathers provided excellent camouflage against the branches and dry seed pods, perfectly illustrating the impressive adaptability of Bengaluru’s apex urban raptors.

Black Kite

The Grey Heron

Standing tall and majestic in the shallows near the rocky bank, a magnificent Grey Heron added an aura of absolute stillness to the morning. Its slender, elongated neck, soft blue-grey plumage, and distinctive dark crest stripe caught the early light perfectly as it froze in place, patiently waiting to ambush passing fish.

Grey heron

Vibrant Birds: The dazzling Peacocks strutting through the lakeside foliage, brilliant Kingfishers diving like blue arrows, vocal Koels hidden in the tree canopies, Jungle Crows, and active Mynas.
Woodland & Water Species: Wood Rock Pigeons nesting in structural crevices, massive Common Carps and Black Carps rippling just beneath the water's surface, and slow-moving Snails navigating the damp shorelines.
Terrestrial Mammals: Quick, agile Mongooses hunting through the undergrowth and playful Indian Palm Squirrels darting up the massive tree trunks.
Green Spaces: The sprawling, oxygen-rich Lawn Parks that provide the essential terrestrial buffer zone for these creatures to flourish.

Preserve This Ecosystem

Urban lakes like Sankey Tank are not just recreational spots for runners—they are critical biodiversity hotspots in the heart of Bengaluru. Preserving these habitats from pollution, unchecked construction, and littering ensures that this rich web of life continues to thrive for generations to come.

The Pulse of Bengaluru's Living Waters

As Lake Marathon 15 comes to a finish, it is clear that places like Sankey Tank are far more than just a scenic backdrop for our running laps. They serve as the vital, beating heart of our city's remaining green infrastructure. From the silent gaze of the majestic Grey Heron to the seasonal arrivals of migratory birds, every lap we run reminds us that we share this urban space with a fragile, beautiful web of life.

Lacing up our running shoes throughout the monsoons, summers, and winters gives us a front-row seat to this shifting paradise. However, witnessing this biodiversity comes with a collective responsibility. We must actively advocate for the protection, cleanliness, and preservation of these crucial wetland habitats. Let’s keep running, keep exploring, and most importantly, work together to preserve this thriving ecosystem so that future generations of runners and wildlife can continue to share its banks.

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