Urban birding: a brief history of how the community of interest and practice developed in Bengaluru, India

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Bengaluru’s birding bio

Birdwatching, or birding, as it is referred to, seems to have become a very popular pastime in Bangalore. In this context, it's interesting to find out just how it's organized and carried out in the city...and I decided to talk to several people who've had more than thirty years of experience in this activity

A team at the HSBC Bird Race. Pic: Deepa Mohan.

There are no "professional" ornithologists, as far as  I can gather, in the city. Most of the experienced birders of Bangalore are those who pursue birding as a weekend or holiday activity. Their professions might or might not be allied to the study of the world of Nature..and in fact, very often become a hindrance to the regular pursuit of birdwatching.