At Kokkrebellur, an entire village waits eagerly for the arrival of winged guests every year with whom villagers have developed a relationship of reverence.

During October/November every year, the village turns home to migratory birds. Flocks of painted storks (ibis leucocephalus) and spot billed pelicans (pelecanus philippenis) descend on the hamlet to build their nests and rear their young.

Large, shady trees of tamarind, peepal and portia bristle with colonies of birds, and they come in droves, especially during February when the population peaks.

For the villagers, these winged visitors are welcome guests. So much so, that if they fail to turn up in a year, they believe it bodes ill for the village.