Date:15/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/15/stories/2007021520700200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

People's interest in birds takes wing

Staff Reporter

Enthusiasts take to birdwatching Many enthusiasts take to birdwatching in Bangalore

EXOTIC: The Asian Paradise Flycatcher and the White-breasted Kingfisher.

Bangalore: Birds of the same feather flocked together for the India Bird Race where birdwatchers from across the city came together for their feathered friends.

The event, organised on Sunday by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), was a dawn-to-dusk affair where a large gathering of experienced and amateur birdwatchers spend the day spotting and identifying birds in an effort to record as many species as possible. Zafar Futehally, former honorary secretary of Bombay Natural History Society, who was chief guest, with characteristic self-deprecating humour, said birdwatching was earlier known as a pastime of the idle. The perception of people had undergone a change since. The octogenarian ornithologist joked: "I know the organisers have invited me here only because of my age." He was later felicitated by the organisers.

Ramachandra Guha, historian, spoke about how he was drawn to birdwatching while growing up in Dehra Dun. "The Dehra Dun valley had a magnificent diversity of birds. There were around 400 species that were recorded then. My memories of the valley are associated with the birds."

India is blessed with an immense diversity that should be cherished and nourished by all, he added. Sunjoy Monga, event organiser, said that the concept of a bird race was born in Mumbai three years ago. The event received a phenomenal response in Bangalore and HSBC proposed to introduce it in all the 27 cities where the bank has a presence.

Subramanya, event coordinator, said 170 people had registered for the race and 40 teams participated.

Arutra Rao, at 12 one of the youngest participants, said he was fascinated by the paradise flycatcher.

He was also the photographer for the "Leaf Bird" team that spotted and identified 113 species.The "Spur Fowl" team led by A.K. Raju won the first prize, the "Liocichla" team led by Mike Prince the second and the "Shoveler" team led by J.N. Prasad the third. James Williams won the "Bird of the Day" prize for spotting and identifying the rare "Wry Neck" bird.

The "Dip of the Day" prize went to the team led by Madhavi Raj, which had spotted the "White Breasted Kingfisher".