In a country like India where the summers can be harsh in most places and the temperatures soar to uncomfortable heights, youngsters could be tempted to become ‘couch potatoes’ or constantly turn to the digital world for indoor entertainment.
To remind ourselves of the correct use of the right hemisphere of the brain and to be away from any kind of negative addictions, the most effective way is to get out into the open and find activities that will keep our interests alive.
Experience
Summer time is suitable for beginners to start learning about birdwatching. Early mornings are most suitable and it is a relatively inexpensive hobby compared to most others. One needs to invest only in a pair of good binoculars and a bird book to guide him/her.
We are always surrounded by bird-life, even if we are in the midst of buildings and concrete jungles in the city. If we take a look outside our windows, we can see varieties of birds — mynas, doves, parrots, kites and many more; if there are trees around, one is sure to find orioles, woodpeckers, tree pies, and drongos; if there’s a water body near by, sandpipers, coots, herons, pelicans, and spoon bills. It would be a treat to observe them with or without the help of the binoculars.
In the book, Sprint of the Black Buck , T. Koneri Rao gives a delightful account of how he watched, right from his second-floor flat, a pair of male and female black kites raise their hatchlings on a coconut tree for months together.
Birdwatching is an interesting hobby as it can be sustained for life; one can easily indulge in it on a daily basis, even for a couple of hours, and get on with other activities.
It is also a hobby that one can independently manage and need not depend on others for, though it is nicer to learn in a group initially, to share ideas and photos. It can become a passion too, if one is keen about wildlife and conservation. There are groups like the Bombay Natural History Society and Madras Naturalists Society where one can become a member, get involved in birdwatching and go on wildlife trips or attend activities.
Small groups can appoint senior club members as guides and organise day trips to places nearby (for Chennai, Pulicat Lake). I remember the day trip to the forest department area behind the Snake Park, Chennai, that was organised with conservationist Preston Ahimaz as our group leader.
Nature walks
Preston, with his years of experience at WWF India, introduced us to many flora and fauna that we were unaware of till then. At the end of that nature walk, we were able to learn the names of the many butterflies, the use of the small crawling creatures hidden in the creeks, could connect bird calls to particular species and so on.
The Bangalore Nature Club is also active; they meet regularly on holidays at the famous Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and organise ant walks or tree walks. These fun outdoor activities taken up by kids during summer vacation can gradually develop into a hobby as they become teenagers, and a wonderful way of spending one’s time in adult life.
The author is passionately committed to preserving the wildlife and sanctuaries of India. She was introduced to birdwatching in her twenties and enjoys this hobby to this day.
