Birdwatching A Wonderful Hobby

At times I used to wonder, will I ever witness a Common Tailor Bird building its nest? Well, this pandemic has given me the opportunity to get such a moment.

- Dr. Dilip Verma

With everything under lockdown, I got time to closely watch Common Tailor Bird and observe how this small beautiful bird just curls up two leaves of mango tree to make a tunnel-like structure, uses its sharp beak to pierce through its ends, and makes an almost totally invisible nest.

At a time when humans are nervously tracking spread of the virus as it seeps through communities and leaps across borders, new birders are finding relief in tracking the migratory patterns of Bar Headed Goose, Forest Wagtail, Indian Paradise Flycatcher instead.

For many, bird-watching has been a respite from the fast-paced life. Now the chirps and coos in the backyard, once ignored as background noise, have become clues to understanding an entire ecosystem.

BIRDWATCHING – A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY

Birdwatching is a form of wildlife observation in which the observation of birds is a recreational activity. It can be done with naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, by listening for bird sounds, or by watching public webcams. Birdwatching often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are more easily detected and identified by ear than by eye. Most birdwatchers pursue this activity for recreational or social reasons.

HISTORICAL ASPECT OF BIRDING

Birdwatching in real terms dates back to late 18th century. The study of birds, and natural history in general, became increasingly prevalent in Britain during the Victorian Era, often associated with collection of birds and eggs. It was only in late 19th century that called for bird protection, started owing to the increasing popularity of observations on birds.