Unlike Chennai or Coimbatore, my district, Salem was not really known for birding. Forget women; there were just handful of male birders six or seven years ago. Back then, I had this crazy thought of seeing more women getting into birding, not just for the sake of birds but this hobby will definitely be a great stress buster for them and can keep our mental health in a balanced state. Regardless of gender, I wish to see everyone getting connected to Nature by some means. We never stopped putting efforts nor did I lose hope. I know that change will happen someday.
It has finally happened and today, the scenario is totally different. It is certainly a dream come true for me. Salem birders are also leading the way; thanks to the immense contributions from women of all ages. Currently, we have more than 80 female birders in Salem (including students). The dedication and love for birds and the number of hours spent on field by our women is absolutely awe inspiring. They have started to participate in surveys, conduct awareness programs, lead bird walks and are always among the top ranked birders in major bird counting events like the Pongal Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count.
VADIVUKKARASI A, 37
Favorite Bird: Green Bee-eater
Favorite location in Salem: Pannavadi, Mettur
Vadivukkarasi A is a school teacher at Pachayat Union Middle School, Krishnampudur, Salem who started birding in 2017. She is nurturing kids to get connected with Nature and has become the driving force for her students and birds everyday with them. She is also monitoring several sites and birds in Salem including the rare White-naped Tit Machlolophus nuchalis along with her husband Senthil Kumar S (headmaster of the same school) and son Subramania Siva S. Green Bee-eater is her favorite bird because as a birder it was the first bird she saw and fell for the bright green plumage, black mask, sharp central tail feather, flying pattern and its activeness even during the hottest part of the day.
DIVYA SUBRAMANI, 23
Favorite Bird: White-throated Kingfisher
Favorite location in Salem: Kannankurichi (Mookaneri) Lake
Divya Subramani started birding in the late 2017 but has got hooked into it with great dedication. She is a district-level resource person at Tamil Nadu Science Forum and has conducted several programs for school children on Simple Science Experiments. Though she is a mechanical engineer by profession she always tries to fulfill her passion/thirst for Nature by birding in all the opportunities in her way. She gets so excited on hearing the call of her favorite bird and strongly believes that seeing a White-throated Kingfisher is a sign of divine omen which makes her day a complete one.
MAHALAKSHMI M, 23
Favorite Bird: Coppersmith Barbet
Favorite location in Salem: Pannavadi, Mettur
Mahalakshmi Murugavel developed a special interest for birds during her undergraduate years in Bangalore. Her birding became more frequent when she joined for her post-graduation in Environmental Science at Periyar University, Salem. A silent person by nature, she has documented over 70 species in the Periyar University campus and with the help of Salem Ornithological Foundation, she has come up with an online pictorial guide to the University’s bird life. She has also encouraged several of her classmates into birding. Coppersmith Barbet is her favorite bird because of the tiny size, colors, chiseling out holes in trees to build nests and of course for its metronomic call.
ANGELINE MANO, 20
Favorite Bird: Black-winged Stilt
Favorite location in Salem: Pannavadi, Mettur
Though she had the interest for birds since a long time, it was just over an year ago, Angeline began her love for birds as a photographer. Quickly, she has learnt a lot and is now a birder-cum-photographer. Within a short time, she has contributed all her media to eBird and birds regularly from her home and college. She is a final year undergraduate student of English Literature at the Government Arts College, Salem-7. Do read more about her journey into birding, here. Black-winged Stilt is her favorite bird because of the white body with black wings, long and pinky legs and the way it walks is eye-catching.
PRADEEPA SUDHAKAR, 38
Favorite Bird: Indian Golden Oriole
Favorite location in Salem: Home (near Old Suramangalam)
Pradeepa Sudhakar is a Physical Education teacher at Panchayat Union Middle School, Krishnampudur who started birding one year ago. She doesn’t get as much opportunities as she likes to go out for birding. Nonetheless, it hasn’t reduced her interest one bit and being a backyard eBirder, she has documented about 50 species from home. Her son Himavat Gouresh is her constant birding companion. Indian Golden Oriole is her favorite bird because of the contrasting colors of yellow gold with black and pinkish bill; it also visits her home.
SUGUNA R, 56
Favorite Bird: Blue-capped Rock Thrush
Favorite location in Salem: Kannankurichi (Mookaneri) Lake
Suguna Ramamoorthy became a birder not solely because of birds but part of the reason could be attributed to her son’s frequent yelling at her for not being a co-birder with him. She is one of the oldest woman birders in Salem not just by age but also by the time (2014) she started birding. Despite her age and health issues, she never fails to participate in major birding events. Her favorite bird keeps changing and it will be one from her most recent birding trip. Currently, it is the Blue-capped Rock Thrush which she saw in the Shevaroys. She is ever enthusiastic to travel to new places for birding.
Salem Ornithological Foundation heartily congratulates all the women birders in the world and we wish a Happy Women’s Day to all!
List of other woman birders from Salem: Kavitha Ramkumar, Indumathi Kathappan, Sasikala Sahasranamam, Jayalalitha Pagadala, S.V. Aishwarya, Amudha Jayamurugan, Ida Priscilla. School students: 4th standard–D. Sridevi, A. Gomathi, C. Sushmitha, V. Srinidhi, C. Madhupriya, M. Abinayasri, K. Gayathri, S. Ganga, S. Dharshini, K. Keerthi, 5th standard–C. Meena, V. Sharunya, M. Sahaya Bershiya, S. Kaviya, M.R. Kausika, R. Abi, P. Kausalya, R. Vanoosri, 6th standard–A. Nandhini, K. Sowmiya, K. Dhanya Sree, T. Megala, K. Maunika, K. Deepa, C. Abinaya, K. Pooja Sree, V. Hema, K. Hema, K. Bhagyalakshmi, S. Ramya, K. Vetriselvi, G. Priya, G. Kaviyamathi, 7th standard–R. Vijaya Priya, T. Harshini, P. Varshini, C. Nandhini, M. Priyanka, K. Atchaya Sri, R. Jaisree, K. Sowmiya, P. Keerthana, S. Nirmala, M. Usha, S. Sowmiya, M. Sanjana, M. Charumathi, P. Meena, T. Priyadharshini, K. Kiruthika, P. Hemalatha, S. Kasthuri, S. Vasantha Priya, R. Krishnaveni, A. Kanimozhi, 8th standard–M. Soundhariya, V. Kavitha, M. Sagunthala, K. Tamilarasi, R. Jothika, R. Al-Ajishya, M. Nithya, K. Keerthana, G. Priya, E. Bhuvaneshwari, C. Roja. 9th standard–M. Priyadharshini, V. Ashika, S.D. Joshika, G.P. Sri Varshini, R. Ponlakshmi, P. Navaneatha, S. Sri Varsha.
Note: The student birders are astute observers and meticulous record-keepers. The student names mentioned above are from Panchayat Union Middle Schools, Krishnampudur & Thalavaipatty (Rajangam P) and Panchayat Union Primary Schools, Neermullikuttai and Puzhuthikuttai (Kalaiselvan V). The 9th standard students are from Sri Vidya Mandir CBSE School, Salem Steel Plant and are guided by T. Jayamurugan, TNSF.
Disclaimer: This list containing the emerging women birders of Salem is not the final word. Down the years, it is sure to become endless. The above six prominent women are regular birders/eBirders and have contributed hugely for the cause of birding. If you know any other woman in Salem who you think should be added along with the notable names or to this article, please do mail us at [email protected] and we will be more than happy to do it.
Wonderful article. Kudos to SOF for initiating the movement