Close to my heart #1
Here are some pages from my life – people, places, events, objects, hobbies, food, travel and almost everything I love to indulge in. In no sequence or order – these are some writings straight from the heart.
“Bird Watching” : Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the “methodological study and consequent knowledge of birds with all that relates to them.” says wiki.
In the 19th century almost all students of birds used guns and could identify an unfamiliar species only when its corpse was in their hands. And now the modern bird-watching has been made possible largely by the development of optical aids, particularly binoculars & scopes which has enabled people to see and study wild birds, without harming them, much better than ever before. There has been extensive research and study specifically in the last 75 years or so; although the interest in the world of ‘birds’ goes back several hundreds of years.
It is as simple as picking up a book of birds of your region or country, having a basic set of Binoculars and loads of enthusiasm to be out in the field.
A great outdoor hobby, inexpensive and yet hugely rewarding in terms of what you can learn. Simply familiarize yourself with bird habitats, bird species, coloring, etc by reading up on common birds in your local area. Once you’ve learned about your local area, it may be time to venture out on longer weekend trips or to the closest Nature / National Park. Another way to learn fast is – going bird watching with as many different birders as you can. Everybody has different experiences, different knowledge, different insights, and you just want to be like a sponge and absorb as much as you can.
There are close to 9500plus species found in the world and almost 1300plus in India. There is a also list of ‘State birds of India’ available to further explore.
Whether you are a diehard bird lover, looking for a new way to connect with nature, or simply looking for another reason to get outside, birdwatching is therapeutic !
Spending hours in the field, exploring and enjoying the marvels of nature, (and more than anything) it is your way of giving back to the nature.