Feathered Friends and Forest Trails: Our Birdwatching Adventure

Written by: Upasana Manem

“We will be going bird watching!”

Sruti Akka's announcement was met with a wave of excitement. Most of us had never taken the time to observe birds closely, so the idea of this new activity filled us with curiosity and anticipation. We didn’t know what to expect. What kind of birds will there be? How many of them will there be? Where exactly is this place that we are going to? It was all an adventure. 

We started off our adventure by taking a bus where all of us geckos enjoyed every second of the ride by blasting our favorite songs and singing on top of our lungs. The music not only made the travel time fun and enjoyable but it also built a strong sense of unity and connection among us. We were having so much fun that before we even knew it, we arrived at our destination. As we explored the lush landscape, we were greeted by a variety of unfamiliar sights and sounds. We were very surprised to discover that this area was home to many unique bird species and plants that we had never seen before.

Whether it was the Kingfisher with bright blue and orange feathers, the Laughing Dove with its pinkish feathers, or the Jabber with its small and cute size, we learned about the characteristics and habits of many different types of birds. We had two very kind guides/experts who walked us through different areas of the land to find the wildlife. Kumar Uncle, who was one of the experts, was amazing. He snapped photos of the birds instantly, and the photos would appear very clear and professional. He would then show us the pictures after every new bird was found, and explain interesting facts about them. It was so wonderful to see his passion for nature, and how his enthusiasm spread throughout the entire group.

Meanwhile, Vinod anna’s explanations made our bird-watching experience very enjoyable and educational. He made sure that everyone understood the significance of each and every species, and had lots of patience when he was asked questions. In the end, our bird-watching trip in Tiruvannamalai turned out to be much more than we had expected. From the fun bus ride to the discovery of new bird species and plants, it was a morning full of adventure and learning. This experience gave us a new appreciation for nature and created memories we’ll cherish for a long time.