Tweet goes the birdy!

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A layperson wouldn’t be able to spot the difference between a Purple Sunbird, Large Grey Blabber or a Red-Wattled Lapwing. With more than 1,250 species of birds, India is a paradise for bird watching. Bird watching is a serious hobby for teenagers these days. They are becoming increasingly aware of the loss of green cover and the threat our lifestyle poses to the ecosystem.
There are several birding sites in India, but the most popular sites are the Corbett National Park and the Kaziranga National Park. Praniti G, a 12th standard student, was initiated into this activity by her father. “My father used to take me every Sunday and now I can recognise birds on my own. Of course, there are different birds in different parts of the country. But, I’ve spotted a fair share in Bandipur National Park in Karnataka.” The most exciting part about birding is when they spot a new bird, and for Praniti it was when he spotted the Paradise Flycatcher. “It’s easily identifiable and one of the most beautiful birds, because of its long coloured tail.”
But one doesn’t have to go a bird sanctuary or a natural park reserve to spot a bird. People usually organise groups to the outskirts of the city. The walks are bes taken early morning and they usually go on for about three to four hours. Moreover, there’s usually a naturalist with them. Geetu D, who is in eleventh standard says, “I go with a large group of people, not just teenagers. Sometimes, we have even children as young as six and seven who come with their parents. And if there’s an expert in our midst, he’s able to tell us if a bird is from a different region. It’s fun to use the binoculars to spot these exotic birds.”
These teenagers might be dedicated bird-watchers, but there are also those who are nature enthusiasts overall, and are interested in butterflies, spiders, wild life and the ecosystem in general. Asha Gupte, who loves geography is one of them. “Birding is just one element of the whole experience. I used to go many nature walks in Mumbai but since then, I’ve shifted from city to city which hampers my learning experience. But just getting to know the ecosystem of the different regions is fascinating,” she muses.