Writer: Senthil Kumar S, Headmaster (and birder), Panchayat Union Middle School, Krishnampudur, Salem.
I was one of the ordinary people who did not know much about birds. Now, I listen to their sounds and my head turns in the direction of the call. It was surprising to think how my ears weren’t able to hear them all these years. As I travel on the roads, naturally my eyes get tuned to the flying feathers in the sky. I am amazed at the changes that have risen within me. Busy with the city life, mobile phones and television, we never see what is around us and gradually we are getting detached from the natural world. When I was thinking of what inspired me to get involved in bird watching, I felt that I should write it.
FEATHERS IN A FEST
The interest/love for birds began to germinate on January 28, 2017. Yes, two years have passed. Nonetheless, the events of the day is still evergreen in memory. Tamil Nadu Science Forum (Salem), held a two-day grand science fest in Universal Matriculation School at Konganapuram. I didn’t have any special association with TNSF back then, but on the request of dear friend Jayamurugan T, I participated in the event with my family and 19 students. It certainly turned out to be a life-changing one.
THAT’S ME, SIR. SHALL WE START?
There were several sessions such as simple science experiments, night sky watching, puppetry and so on. One of those was bird watching. In the invitation, the time given was 06.00 am IST. Well, honestly it was really annoying as people woke me up at 05.00 am because I’m one among those who get out of bed by 7 or later in the morning.
What is there to know about birds? Don’t I know about them? With these thoughts, I got ready to go. More than a hundred students were already waiting in the playground. Myself and my students joined them. A young man who looked like in his early twenties was present at the scene.
Me: Thambi*, you have also come for bird watching?
He: Yes, sir.
(In the midst of many young people spending their time in trivial issues, it was somewhat surprising and good to see someone who had come to see birds joining the school students. I thought to myself.) (*In Tamil, ‘thambi‘ means younger brother).
Me: See thambi, we all have come but the enthusiast who should explain about birds haven’t arrived yet.
He (with a smile): That’s me sir. Shall we start?
INTO A NEW WORLD
I was expecting someone aged around 50 but here’s a young man, 20 – 23 years of age who was in charge of leading the massive group. It was a bit embarrassing to think that. Everyone stepped out of the school gate and started to walk on the road. But I stepped into a stunning new world. It was filled with feathers of different colours and songs of melodious notes. On seeing every new bird, I was like, “Wow! How beautiful it is! How did I miss seeing it all these days despite crossing them everyday?”
It was surely surprising to see someone more than twenty years younger than me, giving a clear explanation about the birds which I didn’t know in all my 42 years of life. The beauty of feathers attracted me so much. All I knew was only the crows and sparrows but we enjoyed seeing 21 species (including Bulbuls, Drongo, Sunbirds, Babblers and Roller) in that one hour walk.
FLYING WITH FAMILY
If twenty species live around this school area, then what kind of rare and beautiful will be present in habitats such as rivers, forests and mountains? My heart felt that it was my first job to see them and at once I consented to my feeling. In fact more than me, the event created a bigger impact in my son Subramania Siva, a student of ninth grade and my wife Vadivukkarasi.
Now, our son is a dedicated birder than two of us. There is no need to pat him several times to wake him up in the morning. He jumps out of bed at five o’clock and pulls me to take him to the nearby Pavalathanoor Lake. Our school students are also meticulously recording birds near their homes as well as in the school campus. It is heartening to see a wonderful change in my students not just in contributing to conservation and getting connected with Nature but also in their personal character.
After the event, from the next day, I have started to fly with my family to enjoy birds in lakes, reservoirs, mountains and forests. I wish every family to spread their wings and fly like birds! Happy Birding!
(Note: This is the English version of the article – பறவைகளோடு என் முதல் பயணம்.)
