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Rather than search for nature in elusive and distant places, thousands of individuals have experienced the joys of discovery in nooks, crannies and backyards right next to them.

Where to start

There are advantages to watching birds from within the comforts of one`s own garden. It reduces the agony of cramped muscles, hunger and mosquitoes. With a stream of refreshing cups of tea arriving at regular intervals, it is more of a leisure to watch them, and if luck prevails , to hear some of their bird songs.

The Right Time

Feeding time is the ideal time to watch these birds. Feeding would begin as early as five in the morning and you have to wake long before dawn to position yourself silently and unobtrusively so as not to alarm the parents when they begin feeding their wards.

Gearing Up

1. Dress code: Use an ordinary dull-coloured bed sheet to cover yourself and your equipment. Needless to add, backyard or not, mosquitoes are a constant problem. Your jerky movements would almost certainly alarm the birds. So use mosquito repellent liberally.
2. Diary: All through the process, birdwatchers carry a diary with them. For instance, one would notice that most of the feeding took place around the cool hours of dawn. What would happen when the sun was up? And at night, would the female settle herself in the nest to protect the chicks from the chill?
3. Take a torch and a pair of binoculars. Birds, in their search for food, almost invariably fly in different directions, possibly to enhance the area of search and thus the quantum of food.

Approaching the nest

When crows or other predatory birds are around, the parents do not feed their young. Take your cues from them, looking out for these `enemies` before approaching the nest. There seems to be another simple strategy employed by parents to ensure the security of their young. They would choose different trees to survey the area for danger before approaching the nest.

Get an associate!

Long hours of bird watching can be tiring. Try to take a friend with you for company and take turns to watch the nest.

Though some birds are very vocal, they become incredibly silent when approaching the nest and while feeding. And in some cases, only one bird might come to feed at a time so as not to burden the nest with excess weight, or attract more attention than absolutely necessary.

Some more tips for the bird watcher:

1. If you are driving a vehicle, stop it well ahead of the bird nests. It is a pity that many curious bird watchers drive straight into a wet land and perch atop their vehicle expecting to see a bird.
2. Don`t create a ruckus or any jerky movements; the birds are shy and sensitive.
3. If wanting to record birdsong, remember to keep a dicta-phone well hidden near the nest. Birds are always cautious while approaching their nests more so, when there are young ones in the nest.
4. Sometimes, you can entice a bird by imitating its call. The native tribesmen will be of help in this regard.

Professional Bird watchers

1. Bangalore: Birdwatchers Field Club of India, PH: (080) 5533684

2. Bhopal: Oriental Research Foundation, E1/106, Area Colony, Bhopal.

3. Calcutta: Zoological Survey of India, Alipore.

4. Coimbatore: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, ph: (0422) 807973, 807983.

5. Delhi: Bird Link Society, 101/4, Kaushalya Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016.

6. Hyderabad: Birdwatchers` Society of Andhra Pradesh, Ph: (040) 3320269.

7. Mumbai: Bombay Natural History Society, Ph: (022) 2821811.

Places famous for bird watching in India

Point Calimere (TamilNadu)

Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)

Palani Hills (TamilNadu)

Periyar (Kerala)

Bharatpur (Rajasthan)

Khijadia (Gujarat)

Vedanthangal (TamilNadu)

Harike Lake (Punjab)