2025-10-07

As part of the ongoing Wings of Awareness program, a bird watching session was organized with the students of St. Joseph’s CGHS at Erayilkadavu, Kottayam. This initiative, implemented by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation is designed to inspire school children to connect with nature and develop a deeper appreciation for environmental conservation.   

The program places emphasis on experiential learning and aims to strengthen students’ observation skills, patience, and focus through direct encounters with biodiversity. The project is implementing across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.

The field visit was conducted in the scenic lowland fields of Erayilkadavu, an area known for its rich bird diversity. The session began with a briefing by Mr. Sarath Babu (Nature Education Officer, TIES), who introduced the students to the disciplines of bird watching. He stressed the importance of maintaining silence, minimizing disturbance, and cultivating a mindful presence in natural habitats.

 Following this, Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness, gave a demonstration on how to record bird sightings using the CROW(Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness)  app—a digital tool developed exclusively for the project to encourage systematic documentation by young birdwatchers. Students enthusiastically engaged with the app, gaining hands-on experience in citizen science methods.

During the session, the group was able to spot and record over 30 bird species, reflecting the ecological richness of the site. Some of the notable sightings included: Rose- ringed Parakeet, Lesser Whistling Duck, Scaly-breasted Munia, Tri-coloured Munia, Bronze-winged Jacana, Whiskered Tern. The variety of species observed provided an excellent opportunity for students to witness firsthand the interplay of wetland and terrestrial habitats in supporting diverse birdlife.

The session successfully fulfilled its objective of providing students with a hands-on conservation experience. Students expressed great enthusiasm, and many reflected on how such outdoor learning activities complemented their classroom knowledge. The experience fostered curiosity, awareness, and environmental sensitivity—the core values at the heart of the Wings of Awareness initiative.