2026-10-23

"Today's birdwatching was a truly wonderful experience, and I got to see so many birds," shared Eeza, a 5th-standard student from Mount Carmel High School, Kottayam. Reflecting on the field trip, he added, "Our guide explained the names and special features of all the birds so well. It was a wonderful experience overall." Echoing this enthusiasm, Alona, an 8th-standard student, shared, "I really loved experiencing this. I got to see so many different birds and learn their actual names, which was fantastic."

This engaging outdoor excursion took place across the vibrant wetland areas of Kollad, Kottayam, organized under "Wings of Awareness"—a joint environmental education and conservation initiative by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) and Buimerc India Foundation.

A focused group of 25 students ventured into the rich wetland habitat to conduct a comprehensive birdwatching and biodiversity survey. Expert Ornithologist Ajayakumar M. N. led the young participants through the terrain, providing valuable insights into wetland bird behaviors, field identification techniques, and local ecology.

To blend wildlife observation with modern technology, TIES Project Officer Arathi Sasidharan conducted an interactive demonstration of the CROW App. Students received practical training on recording real-time field data digitally, empowering them to log species sightings and actively contribute to regional biodiversity mapping as student citizen scientists.

The field survey across the Kollad wetlands proved exceptionally rewarding, yielding a remarkable count of 34 bird species. Among these, the sighting of the Garganey and the Common Kingfisher created extraordinary enthusiasm and excitement among the young learners as they observed the vibrant waterbirds up close.

The educational expedition was smoothly coordinated with the dedicated support of accompanying teachers Elsamma and Siji Mathew. By bridging classroom learning with direct exposure to rich natural aquatic ecosystems, the program successfully inspired a deep appreciation for local biodiversity and environmental stewardship among the students.