My Birding Journey

 

My birding journey started four years ago (2017) when my cousin (Mr. Sancha Rai~Teacher) introduced me to the Birds of Bhutan Face Book page group. Ever since I have never looked back in this beautiful journey of Bird Watching except some flashback of catapult business in the cowboy days. It was kind of hunter to hermit way of my journey for my personal growth and contribution to the society at large. My colleagues were surprised to see me take this hobby as a mining man but my avid birder friends were amazed to see me join them. Their company and guidance helped me identify many species and its habitat till date.

My dream of adding at least one new species record to Bhutan’s Birds List was fulfilled when I photographed Black-headed Cuckooshrike (Lalage melanoptera) in Nyoenpaling (Pugli B), Phuntshopelri, Samtse on 19th May, 2021. I have also added several new lists to the Birds of Samtse like Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) to the latest sighting of Dark-sided Thrush (Zoothera marginata) from Pendenling (Gomtu) which is also a third record to Bhutan as per the experts. Some of my bird’s photographs in the book- A Guide to the Birds of Samtse, 1st edition by Mani Wangdi & Tashi Tshering and a paper on Samtse’s Song Birds (An Annotated Bird Checklist for the Selected Regions of Samtse recorded between 1 September and 31 December 2020) with our team DBA- (Dragon Birding Amigos) are my achievements so far in this worthy journey. I have recorded about 213 species in Phuntshopelri, Samtse. The list will keep growing for future record.


The birds are most fascinating species and dwell closest to human habitat. Birding is simple and lively activity. We don’t require expansive cameras or other gadgets. Walk around your gardens, you will see birds. Peep through your windows and doors, you will see birds. Drive a car to your office, you will see birds. Close your eyes and you will hear their songs from morning to dusk. Its presence has cultural and ecological significance in the respective regions. Their contribution in pest control to pollination to seed dispersal is a paramount importance for balanced ecosystem where everyone of must us at least know about it. A birder has lot more things to know and appreciate the benefits of bird watching.

Thus, birding has not only helped me in its scope but beyond its purpose to a better and meaningful life as a good human being. I could spend my time in positive ways both by learning and being close to the nature often. It is one way of mindfulness in simple way to watch birds and be in the present moment. I can now tell my children the real stories of the birds to protect them and to conserve the nature. We must encourage our younger generations to know more about nature than simply the physical and technological world.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Coming Home

Image
I wish I was Back, For the Final Time Altogether, With All The Dollars In A Sack, I Told after Checking-In To My Brother !  My Friends and Family,  Back In Canberra Were Jealous, And Wished Me Safe Journey Sadly, Coming Home From Abroad is Fabulous!  The Long Hours Flight, All Alone In Crowd of New Faces, Lost In Mixed Thoughts Was No Delight, The accompanied Lone Travellers in Races!  Dragging Trolley Through Gates, Standing In Queues For Ones Identity, What an Irony of Human Security in Fate? The Boarding Gate Opens With Hospitality!  The Tiny Steel Bird, Unlike Huge Ones In The West, Looks Much Closer To The Heart, For The Home Coming Is Only The Best! Flying Through The Clouds, And The Giant Himalayas Range, Was The Heaven Feelings of No Doubts, That The Roar of The Dragon Wasn’t Strange!  I am Home Finally, Our Angels Ran To My Arms, They Hugged Me Tight Tearfully,  My Missing Pieces of Heart Felt So Warm!  I Could Once More, Smell The Homely Earth, The Longing Heart Never Before,
Read more

Coexistence of Birds in Mining Areas

Image
  Mining is often regarded as threat to environment and living entities. In general, people see its negative impact more than its positive ones. Any human activity today has its both advantages and disadvantages. The modern technology offers us the most comfortable lifestyle at its worst negative impacts to the history of mankind. Only handful of people today live the life that is of the purpose. Similarly, mining has been the human tool for civilization and modern development. The contribution of mining in modern era is unmatched to any advanced global industries. Not to forget that even the basic necessities like water, food, shelter and infrastructures are the results of mining and yet the polemic stand of the people for mining still exists. The negative impacts of the mining to the environment, human and the wildlife are inevitable yet controllable and mitigable. There is no direct or immediate threat to lives unlike the fishes we are losing in the dams to light our home which
Read more

Into The Wild

Image
I ran after the cattle as a cowboy free in the wild, I ran into the wild when cattle graze in the field, I ran into the wild to collect grass for the cattle, I ran in to the wild to launch my nature call battle. I ran into the wild to cut and collect the fire woods, I ran into the wild to look for the fresh wild fruits, I ran into the wild for water, swimming & fishing, I ran into the wild for playing, roaming & hunting. I ran into the wild when I was both happy & sad, I ran into the wild when things at home were bad, I ran into the wild to grab the subject in better way, I ran into the wild to share and feel the love of joy. I ran into the wild to hide my tears and express sorrow, I ran into the wild seeking joy & happiness for tomorrow, I ran into the wild for my daily bread and butter to live, I ran into the wild for a gemstone and is hard to believe. I ran into the wild so wild now I knew the reason to keep I would keep running into the wild many miles before I slee
Read more