How to sensitise people to preserve the Environment? How to make every citizen an eco-warrior?
Answer is simple. Let them experience Nature first hand. Walk the talk instead of some boring lectures. BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus took its first step in this direction. It organised a Birding-cum-Nature walk for the faculty, staff and their families on 30th July. Deccan Birders (formerly BSAP- Bird Watchers Society of AP) lent a helping hand. Their members guided the 40+ participants.
BITS alumni celebrate BITSians Day every year during the first weekend of August. We decided to kick off the celebrations this year in a different way. We, few alumni of BITS helped the Hyderabad campus organise the Nature walk. So, here is an account of BITSians Day with a Difference for BITSian readers. For others, it is a tour of the campus, its greenery and its birds.
Pictures for you. Credit for close up shots of the birds goes to Adnan Uddin of Deccan Birders sine I did not carry my DSLR kit. Other pictures are from my phone camera. Thanks Adnan.
We sighted a total of 28 species of birds in our two-hour walk around the campus. Not all were captured in the camera. But listening to their calls, observing their flight, nesting locations and basics of identification methods kept everyone engrossed. Here is a list of birds sighted by us which shows the rich avi-fauna at the campus.
3. Spotted Dove
5. Common Iora
6. Common Mynah
7. House Swift
8. Swallow
9. Shikra
10. Dusty Crag Martin
11. Rock Pigeon
12. White Browed Wagtail
13. Blue tailed Bee Eater
14. Darter
15. Indian Pond Heron
16. Cattle Egret
17. Tailor Bird
18. Scaly Breasted Munia
19. Asian Koel
20. Golden Oriole
21. Red Wattled Lapwing
22. Ashy Prinia
23. Indian Robin
24. Jungle Babbler
25. Oriental White Eye
26. Spot-billed duck (in flight)
27. Comb Duck (in flight)
28. White throated Kingfisher
Shrinking Urban Lakes- Impending Disaster Will the Heron continue to dance like in the picture below?
For more pictures of Hyderabad campus of BITS Pilani, you may browse our earlier story:
Thanks for browsing.
Every small effort to preserve our environment counts. Do volunteer whenever you can and speak up!
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Hyderabad/ 2nd Aug 2023
Postscript:
3rd August: Sujith who came for birding, has sent the following picture of Oriental White Eye or Indian White Eye. He spotted the bird in Hyderabad campus on 2nd August. The bird is perched on a crimson coloured bottle brush flower. Thanks Sujith.
#bitspilani #hyderabadcampus #campusbirding #bitsiansday2023 #nature #preservation #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadhb #ecowarriors #everypersoncounts #savetheearth #environment #pollution #encroachment
BiTS campus looks green & rich in flora and founa and eye catching custard apple & squirrel. Delighted that many children were enjoying the nature. Thanks Harsh for your splendid photo shoots.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation.
DeleteBeautiful campus. Well covered Sir.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much
DeleteDear Sir,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful opportunity.we thoroughly enjoyed the birding and your blog.
Thanks much Murari.
DeleteThank you for the opportunity. It was really a great experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining.
DeleteExcellent photography...nicely explained about it...🙏👏
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation.
DeleteThanks Harsh, for that wonderful tour of campus. The canvas of greenery and myriad of colours splashed across did present a soothing experience. Thanks again for those lovely shots of colourful winged friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteSimply awesome sir... we all really enjoyed every bit...looking forward for many more such outings
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the walk.
DeleteGreat exposure
ReplyDeleteThanks Lalit.
DeleteThanks Prof. Now you all can do a monthly birding morning on your own. All the best.
ReplyDeleteBITS Hyderabad campus is really green and eco friendly, instead of a concrete jungle. Kudos to you and your team for bringing out this and educating this. Identifying so many birds is very informative, Thanks for sharing this
ReplyDeleteCapt P K Jindal
Thanks much Capt Jindal. Appreciate.
DeleteLovely ! A paradise for Bird Watchers.
ReplyDeleteIndeed General, thanks much.
DeleteStunning campus and bird photography, a treat for nature lovers.
ReplyDeleteWell written and explained. you have listed a large number of bird species seen, so l wish there were more photos of the feathered kind!
Trixie Asirvatham
DeleteThanks much Trixie. We focused on identifying, listening and observing Nature rather than photography. But point taken.
DeleteIts beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThis is true. We are surrounded by more birds than we realise.
ReplyDeleteA bird walk organised around my community (36 Acres) a few weeks back led by our in-house bird expert Vineet enabled us to spot over 32 varieties.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. You sure live in green surroundings. God bless.
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