Bird-watching catches up in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The lockdowns gave people enough spare time to notice the sparrows, parrots or bulbuls that live right in our neighbourhoods. As a result, bird-watching has surged in popularity during the last year. Interestingly, many have armed themselves with cameras to capture the beautiful feathered friends. “There is certainly a growth in the number of […]

Hyderabad: The lockdowns gave people enough spare time to notice the sparrows, parrots or bulbuls that live right in our neighbourhoods. As a result, bird-watching has surged in popularity during the last year. Interestingly, many have armed themselves with cameras to capture the beautiful feathered friends.

“There is certainly a growth in the number of people who have actively started bird watching or photography,” says a senior bird photographer, Rajeev Khandelwal, who is also a member of the Hyderabad Birding Pals (HBP).

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“Many people have joined our group on social media, and have been posting pictures of the bird they clicked. It is interesting to see how a hobby that was considered rare has grown so much in just one year.”

While watching the birds is considered therapeutic by many, one requires immense patience to pursue this hobby.

A new birder, 25-year-old Fawad Syed, shares that the skills required for watching the bird can only come with practice. “There is no doubt that birding is a very relaxing hobby. You get to see so many new species, some of which you had never even seen in pictures.

Although birds have always been around us in urban settings, we might have overlooked them owing to our busy lifestyle. So, bird watching also gives us time to pause and appreciate the nature around us. However, the tiniest of sounds or movements and the bird will definitely fly away. So, one has to be very calm when watching the birds. For bird photographers, the hobby is also tricky because on certain days they might not see a single bird. Although it can be frustrating, being patient is a key part of bird photography,” says Fawad.

Interestingly, bird photography is one of the most popular genres of nature or wildlife photography. Rajeev suggests that if you are an amateur in bird photography, do not spend a lot of money on the camera. “I see many people going for high-end cameras right at the beginning. However, bird photography is a craft that develops with time. Hence I would suggest that people go with a basic DSLR model, which can be upgraded later,” he says.

As several bird watching groups have started organising events at various locations in and around the city again, Rajeev suggests a few tips for the newbies. “We generally go a little away from the city towards the greener parts for bird walks. The most important thing is to cover yourself well when you go in the wild and ensure that you are wearing something with a camouflage print. Another important part is to stay hydrated and well-fed, while making sure that you have a good hat to save you from sun stroke,” points out Fawad.

Do’s and Don’t while birding:

1) Do carry a good pair of binoculars to spot birds easily.
2) Stay on the designated trails and do not get too close to habitat of birds
3) Keep your phone on silent or switched off.
4) Avoid wearing bright colours as that might scare birds and prefer camouflage print cloths
5) Cover body fully to protect from mosquitos, insects or snakes and carry repellent.
6) Carry enough water and snacks to last the whole day, as bird watching can take a lot of time.

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