The flight club—meet India's cool new birders

Birdwatching in India is blossoming like never before, drawing in a fresh wave of curious beginners eager to connect with nature. The 2025 Great Backyard Bird Count recorded more than 6,600 participants across India, introducing thousands of new enthusiasts to the hobby through organised bird walks and community events. Platforms like eBird India and the Campus Bird Count have lowered barriers for novices, fostering engagement across demographics, especially among students. With the birdwatching tourism market projected to grow significantly by 2030, this rising tide of casual birders signals a deeper, more inclusive connection between Indians and their natural heritage.

Whether from a city apartment balcony or deep within a forest trail, the world of birds invites us to rediscover the art of observation and presence. Three passionate bird lovers—Radhika Sonawane, a Pune-based birdwatcher who turned her balcony into a sanctuary; Verhaen Khanna, a longtime nature educator and founder of New Delhi Nature Society; and Arun Kamath, a birder based in Gurugram who has tracked over 27 species around his urban apartment—share how anyone, anywhere, can begin this deeply enriching practice.

Begin where you are

“You don’t need a forest, a national park, or even a backyard to start birdwatching,” says Sonawane. Her journey began with a single bird feeder and a pot of water on her apartment balcony in the heart of a bustling city. Over time, her tiny oasis drew in 60 to 70 birds daily, from bulbuls to mynas—a miniature refuge in the sky. Kamath echoes this sentiment: “Birdwatching is very easy. You don’t need binoculars or a camera. Just walk around your apartment, your house. See if there are parks or open fields nearby. Birds are always moving, calling. Start noticing them.” Whether from a windowsill, a small terrace, or a walk through your neighbourhood, the practice begins with showing up and looking up.

Make it welcoming for birds

A bird-friendly space need not be elaborate—just intentional. Sonawane emphasises, “Even in a crowded city, you can create a little corner. That’s all it takes.” Offering the essentials—food, water, shelter, and safety—can transform a dull ledge into a haven. Start with flowering plants like hibiscus and pentas, which attract nectar-loving sunbirds, or add a simple hanging perch for safe landings. Coconut fibres and dry twigs make excellent natural nesting materials, and a shallow bowl of clean water becomes vital, especially in summer.

Kamath points out that even manmade watering holes can draw in spectacular species. “During summer, you’ll definitely see some amazing birds. I’ve seen lapwings and white-throated kingfishers. Red-wattled lapwings are ground birds, and I’ve even seen them nesting on terraces.”

Observe quietly and often

“Keep your eyes and ears open. Keep your mouth closed,” says Khanna. Birdwatching is less about pursuit and more about presence. In the stillness, birds reveal themselves—through a rustle, a flutter, a song. Kamath advises beginners to focus on movement and sound: “Birds fly a lot, they call a lot. Try identifying them by their calls, size, or colour.” Common city-dwellers include white-eyes, treepies, parakeets, and the ever-chatty red-vented bulbuls. Even in market areas or near roadside eateries, you might glimpse common starlings in winter or the elusive rosy starling during migration.

Try dedicating 15–20 quiet minutes each day to a consistent spot, ideally in the early morning or late evening, when birds are most active. Over time, you’ll begin to recognise not just species, but their rhythms.

Learn the language of birds

Birds speak in subtle codes: a sudden silence may signal a nearby predator; a cuckoo’s song in summer heralds seasonal shifts. “If the lapwings are making a lot of noise, it means there’s a threat nearby,” Verhaen explains. Decoding these signs adds a new dimension to the practice. Kamath has noticed even owls signalling activity at night: “I’ve seen barn owls and Indian scops owls feeding near my apartment. One even flew across my car headlights—it was magical.”

Apps like Merlin and eBird can help identify species by appearance or call. Keep a journal to log your daily sightings, noting time, weather, and bird behaviour. The smallest clues—like a fruit-eating barbet—can point to larger stories about your environment.

Let curiosity lead your learning

 

“I didn’t know the names at first,” Khanna admits. “I clicked photos and Googled them. Over time, I figured it out.” The beauty of birdwatching lies in its accessibility. You don’t need to know names or scientific classifications to begin—just curiosity. Ask: Why is that bird singing? What is it eating? Why did it suddenly fly away?

Kamath suggests taking a simple notebook and just walking around. “You’ll be surprised what you see near parks or even markets. Birds gather where there’s food waste. Just pay attention.” Even without binoculars or a DSLR, your phone camera and your senses are enough to get started. Let questions—not checklists—guide your journey.

Join or organise small group walks

While solo birdwatching offers deep personal reflection, joining a group walk can spark shared discovery. “Quality is better than quantity,” Khanna says. In his bird walks around Delhi, he teaches participants how to track sound, read movement, and even mimic bird calls. Group dynamics can enhance learning, but too much chatter can scare birds off.

Kamath has spotted Egyptian vultures flying above Cyber City in Gurugram—an unlikely sight in a corporate jungle, discovered while simply walking between office buildings. Whether organised or informal, keep group walks small, quiet, and respectful of the habitat. 

Reconnect with your inner child

Birdwatching returns us to a primal joy—the wonder of noticing. For children, it’s instinctive; for adults, it can be revelatory. “Adults need to get out of their comfort zones and embrace the child within,” Khanna says. Leave behind your devices and rely on your senses. Invite children to join and imitate bird calls—it piques curiosity in both species.

Kamath notes that even blind children on bird walks can identify birds by their unique calls and patterns. Birdwatching teaches patience, observation, and empathy. It is play, meditation, and science all in one—and best of all, it’s screen-free.

Let it change you

“This simple hobby changed my life,” Sonawane reflects. “Birdwatching became my peaceful escape… like meditation.” And indeed, this quiet pastime has the power to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. A mundane rooftop becomes a theatre of flight. The common crow becomes a subject of intrigue.

For Kamath, it’s been a source of constant surprise and delight. “The last count near my apartment was 27 species. Once, I saw four Indian scops owls hunting at night. Another time, a barn owl flew right in front of my car. I even saw a vulture roosting in Cyber City.”

These encounters remind us that the wild lives right alongside us—we just need to notice.

Birdwatching isn’t a hobby to master, but a practice to return to. One bird at a time, it invites us back to presence, to place, and to awe.

 

Lead image: Getty Images

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