2025-10-04

The grounds of the TIES Campus came alive with excitement as students from Mount Mary Public School, Maalam, set out on their bird-watching trail under the Wings of Awareness programme conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation and led by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES).This initiative was crafted to help students learn through direct encounters with nature. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.

Before the trail began, the participants were introduced to a useful digital companion—the CROW(Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness) app. Ms. Megha M.M, Communication Officer of TIES, demonstrated how to log bird sightings and explained how each entry could contribute to larger conservation efforts. The main activity was guided by Mr. Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer of TIES, whose experience in the field made the trail both educational and enjoyable. He shared tips on identifying species, discussed the importance of field ethics, and encouraged students to be patient observers. His approachable style ensured that every student, from beginners to the more curious ones, felt included.

As the group moved through the campus, the excitement grew with every sighting. The students were thrilled to spot the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, a migratory bird that drew special attention. Alongside it, they identified several resident species: the Purple-rumped Sunbird, Jungle Crow, White-cheeked Barbet, Greater Coucal, Racket-tailed Drongo, and the Pale-billed Flowerpecker. The thrill of discovering these birds in their natural setting was matched by the lively discussions that followed, with students eagerly sharing what they saw and asking questions to learn more.

What made the trail even more enriching was the curiosity that spilled beyond birds. Many students wanted to know more about the plants and insects they encountered, making the walk a complete nature-learning experience. The teacher coordinators encouraged these interactions, ensuring the session remained dynamic and participatory.

The event closed with a short reflection circle where students expressed their excitement and shared their favorite moments of the day. A group photograph sealed the memory of the session, while trainers outlined the next steps of the Wings of Awareness journey, encouraging participants to continue documenting and learning from the world around them.

The bird-watching session of Mount Mary Public School was more than an academic exercise—it was a morning of discovery, joy, and awakening. By observing both local and migratory birds in their habitats, students realized that nature’s wonders were closer than they had imagined. 

The programme was coordinated by Ms. Chinchootty  Joy, Ms. Rehana Remesh, and Ms. Jisha P ,Teacher coordinators from Mount Mary Public School and Arya Shaji, Project Assistant,TIES