Birder on a different mission

Birder on a different mission

HYDERABAD

Far away from the madding crowd, a gentleman armed with the typical birder’s camera gear is on a different kind of mission, to capture the images of different species of owls, normally elusive and masters of camouflage.

Well, for the 39-year-old Mohan Sriker, who frequents the birding sports in and around Hyderabad driving all the way from Rajamahendravaram, it has been a mission partly accomplished so far.

“There are about 40 species of owls in India and I have spotted and photographed 16 of them. So, the journey goes on,” he says, with a big smile, clearly not trying to hog the limelight but quietly going about his business.

“Unlike other birds, owls are very tricky to be sighted for they are too good at camouflaging themselves in the environment around them. It takes time and often a lot of luck to spot them. The best part — normally, most of them don’t fly away that easily,” says Mohan, who works as a regional manager in a pharma company.

“Many owl species are active both at dawn and dusk and vocal too. Listening carefully to their calls can help us locate them. Generally, we look for white streaks or droppings on tree bark or the ground,” Mohan explained.

“Owls can be found in a variety of habitats like rocky outcrops, forests, deserts and urban areas and the biggest challenges in sighting an owl is the diminishing habitat for these beautiful creatures, pollution, human disturbance and lack of conservation efforts,” he said.