2025-09-23

The Wings of Awareness initiative, jointly implemented by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation, organized a bird watching session for the students of Sacred Heart High School, Pangada. The programme was hosted at the TIES campus, providing an ideal setting for students to explore the world of birds and develop a sense of environmental responsibility.

A selected group of students, accompanied by their teacher coordinators, took part in the activity. The session began with Mr. Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer, explaining the principles of ethical bird watching. He emphasized the value of quiet observation, respect for wildlife, and the importance of patience in the field. Following this, Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness, introduced the participants to the CROW mobile application through a live demonstration, showing how bird sightings can be systematically recorded and contributed to citizen science.

The proceedings were well coordinated with the support of Ms. Anoopa Mathews and Ms. Megha M M, the PRO team of TIES, ensuring that the session ran smoothly from start to finish.

During the guided walk around the campus, the students were thrilled to spot more than 12 bird species. Among those identified were the Asian Koel, Rufous Treepie, White-cheeked Barbet, Jungle Crow, and House Swift. The young participants engaged actively—asking questions, taking notes, and showing keen enthusiasm as each species was pointed out.

The event concluded with refreshments, providing an opportunity for informal interaction and reflection on the morning’s experience. For many of the students, this was a first encounter with structured bird watching, and it left them with lasting impressions of the diversity of birdlife and the joy of outdoor learning.

Overall, the session was a meaningful step in nurturing ecological curiosity among students. The active participation, combined with expert guidance from the TIES team, made the programme both enjoyable and impactful, reinforcing the objectives of Wings of Awareness.