Chennai welcomes migratory birds. Here is a guide to begin bird watching

Birding is a great way to relax and connect with Nature. If you are curious about the cuckoo’s call but don’t know where to begin, we’ve got you covered. As migratory birds from around the world flock to Chennai, we speak to four experts who tell us the spots in the city frequented by feathered friends.

P Harini’s tryst with birding began when the stress of the pandemic peaked and life seemed to get in the way of happiness. Her older sister P Sridevi, an avid bird watcher, told her to step out and give the activity a shot even though she was not terribly keen. “I didn’t really think it was my thing,” says the 18-year-old studying at Women’s Christian College.

Today, her perspective has drastically changed. Any time Harini gets a spare five minutes, she finds herself scanning the surroundings to note a call or spot a tail or beak. She loves spotting sunbirds, Asian koels and drongos, and now knows the difference between parrots and parakeets (the latter are smaller). “Birding is exhilarating. It calms you. More people should know their biodiversity,” she says.

Bird watchers from across the world including The Beatles legend Paul McCartney echo similar sentiments. The artiste behind the ballad ‘Blackbird’ who also named his band Wings, says that birding is a wonderful way to “chill out” in an old interview with a UK-based publication. It is all about letting Nature take over.

Although birdwatching can seem intimidating to beginners, KV Sudhakar of the Madras Naturalists’ Society, says that the thrill of identifying the bird based on a call or recognising its distinct features, remains unmatched. It is what draws novices to the activity and keeps experts hooked. Even 15 minutes of looking out of a balcony or cubicle is enough to change your mood.

In light of several migratory birds including ducks, waders and raptors making their way to Chennai’s Pallikaranai marshland, experts weigh in on all that one needs to know while stepping out to bird watch. Find directions to hotspots, the peak season, essential equipment and skills required to become avian-obsessed.

Birding is a multi-sensory activity, says Sridevi. It is inclusive, and is for everyone including persons with disabilities. A sharp eye, keen ear or strong pair of legs, all work to one’s advantage. But first, one needs to know their neighbourhood like the back of their hand.

Sridevi was always interested in observing sentience and Nature but got into the activity full-throttle when her college organised an exercise to document the birds in her area. She now birds for a minimum of 15 minutes everyday and cannot do without documenting her findings despite living in Triplicane, a building-dense neighbourhood.