Birding as a hobby

During Covid times, self isolation had turned lots of people into bird watchers.

My non birder friends had taken bird watching from balconies and backyards, and began to place water for the birds on terraces and balconies.

Most importantly, most parents were nurturing their young ones to take up bird watching. The next generation have been showing interest in nature and are discussing about clean air and water.

Some were talking about general well being though the hospitals/OPD's were closed. They are learning to be happy with home food and to remain fit and healthy. 

Looking for a fun hobby you can do anywhere, anytime, without spending much cash up front? You can’t go wrong with birding, commonly known as bird watching.

Birding is a totally accessible activity through conservation organizations that focuses on birds as well as other wildlife. 

You can do it purely for fun or keep a ‘life list’—a birding term for the running list that bird enthusiasts keep of all the different birds they see. Begin with a goal of watching few birds and behaviour each day of the week on first light of day and you’ll be rewarded by the sights and sounds of beautiful and interesting birds in the backyard or the local park.

Step out of your door now  and soon you will realise that bird watching can be a rejuvenating hobby.  

Because birds also are attracted to water, providing a fountain or shallow birdbath where birds can bathe and drink from, might make your back-yard an even more popular spot for birds to visit often.

The best way to bird watch is to look and listen, because many birds have unique songs and calls. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised by how many species you will be able to recognise, even if you’ve never gone bird watching before.

A bird book can be very helpful [for identifying birds], and I highly recommend everyone have one.

You can buy ‘Birds of India’ by Grimmet and Inskipp.

An even better suggestion would be to buy a make in India app ‘Vannya’. 

Vannya helps you to recognise birds of India. It is useful in learning about the birds around your location by viewing distribution map and recognise calls from the vocalisation feature. 

You simply download the App and carry your smartphone along when you bird-watch and also use the wonderful feature of trails and tracks to look for birds.

A pair of bird watching binoculars will help you feel like a successful birder and become one.

Buy a pair of binoculars that they aren’t too heavy for you.

Vannya App

You can chill out in your backyard all day, and now that covid is behind us you can visit the local park or drive out around the outskirts of your city.

Some species of  birds like tall trees, some prefer shrubs, some prefer to feed along streams, while other grasssland species can be found in open fields.

City parks can be amazing places to bird because the environment act like right habitat amidst a sea of concrete jungle.

Most heartening of all, birders and photographers are happy to share information on sightings. They’ll share locations and help you discover what birds are in specific area and direct you where to go to find a particular bird.

Though you can bird watch at other times of day, avoid noon. Birds are less active during afternoons.

If you have a desire on seeing many species, you’ll have to accept the fact that birds are most vocal and active when the sun comes up, making them easier to spot and identify during those early hours.

During covid days, I recall that the junk food and sodas  were out of reach, less people were falling sick. 

Friends call me up to know about the birds they see in their backyard.. Noticing the birds and their calls is a huge move towards appreciating nature.

Some of them would record calls and send me to ID the calls. 

I try to ID the calls and also seek help from my birding buddies, especially Shashank and Rofikul.

When the covid isolation was looming all around us, it was only possible, for most of us to watch nature programmes then later discuss and make few pointers to generate interest in children. 

Please allow them to take lead in discussing about their knowledge on nature. 

For the teens, social media is an excellent tool to discuss, share pictures and share knowledge about birds and nature.

You can give opinions and this activity will never make you feel isolated. 

I use face book and Instagram to share my stories and pictures to generate interest among birders and non birders and to understand what I am up to. 

Hoping this exciting hobby will become contagious.

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