Widunbiliu
Nagaland, with its forested hills and green valleys, is blessed with abundant biodiversity. More than 700 bird species find refuge here ranging from melodious songbirds to rare highland dwellers. Growing up amid such richness, the forest always drew my admiration. Yet my deeper journey into birding truly seeing and understanding the wings of nature began quite by chance in 2022.
It started with participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), organized by Eco Warriors Nagaland in collaboration with Bird Count India. The event brought together birders from various districts—students, youths, and graduates united by curiosity and care for the environment. This event changed my perspective towards birding. Though ornithology had been part of my forestry studies, birding as a joyful and immersive activity was a revelation.
For the first time, birds appeared not as data but as living stories. Their songs, colors, and behavior inspired awe and wonder. Birding became a relationship with nature, blending learning with delight. The initiative by Bird Count India revealed how meaningful and enjoyable observing birds can be.
Meeting birders from across India further broadened this perspective. Many had begun bird watching very young. Their dedication and enthusiasm showing how early awareness can nurture a lifelong love for nature. In Nagaland too, the birding community is flourishing. Young students and children now actively document bird species, sharing narratives that express curiosity, wonder, and responsibility. Their enthusiasm reaffirms how conservation begins with connection.
Among many experiences, one remains unforgettable: fieldwork in Thanamir, Kiphire district, near the Myanmar border. Accompanied by a local guide who could identify birds solely by their calls, I witnessed how deep familiarity with the forest transcends formal training. His knowledge reminded me that birding is not just a skill but an art of listening and belonging. Nature, I realized, speaks most clearly when we slow down to pay attention.
While many birders seek distant landscapes, my greatest joy lies in the familiar environment. Observing birds within my state reveals seasonal rhythms and deepens understanding of local ecosystems. Even small forest patches hold surprises—each visit uncovering new life thriving in subtle forms.
The upcoming Tokhü Emong Bird Count, to be held from November 4–7 alongside the Tokhü Emong festival, brings together birders statewide to document species and celebrate Nagaland’s avian diversity. Such initiatives strengthen collective conservation efforts while deepening our connection to community and place. My hope is to inspire more people to view birds not merely as wildlife but as part of our cultural and ecological heritage.
Birding continues to teach patience, awareness, and respect. Each flutter of wings carries a story, and safeguarding those stories is a shared responsibility. Through this journey, I have rediscovered the living heart of Nagaland’s landscapes, it’s a reminder that true conservation begins with attention and love for the world around us.
(The writer is a Research Scholar under the Department of Forestry and Core Member of Eco Warriors Nagaland)
