Six Cities, Six Walks
- Delhi, Kolkata, Mysuru, Mumbai, Shirgao, and Gobuk
- Early Bird
Summary of Project
As part of the National Wildlife Week celebrations, Ataavi Bird Foundation in collaboration with Early Bird organized bird walks for children aged 9-13 across six cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Mysuru, Mumbai, Shirgao (Goa), and Gobuk (Arunachal Pradesh). These walks, led by experienced nature educators, aimed to inspire young participants to appreciate birds and the natural world.
Partnered with
New Delhi (Aravalli Biodiversity Park)
The Delhi walk started with the facilitators providing an overview of the park’s history and geological highlights. As the group ventured through the park, they encountered caterpillars munching on leaves, while others were getting ready to undergo metamorphosis. The walk concluded with a nature journaling activity, giving participants the chance to creatively document their observations.
Kolkata (Banabitan)
Although the walk at Kolkata began under overcast skies, the weather soon cleared, enabling participants to fully enjoy a vibrant birding experience. With the help of spotting scopes, the children observed Spotted Owlets and various species of barbets. The enthusiastic facilitators shared fascinating facts about each bird, enhancing the children’s understanding and appreciation of local wildlife. The event fostered a sense of connection to nature, inspiring many participants to continue exploring the outdoors.
Shirgao, Goa (Shirgao Creek)
The bird walk in Goa commenced with an exhilarating encounter as participants witnessed two mugger crocodiles engaged in a dramatic confrontation, much to the delight of the children. The group also observed bulbul parents nurturing their chicks and had the opportunity to admire the majestic Great Hornbill. A Bird Bingo game further enhanced the experience by encouraging close observation of bird behavior.
Mysuru (Kukkarahalli Kere)
In Mysuru, a notable highlight was the observation of a family of White-breasted Waterhens accompanied by their chicks. The children watched in fascination as a Shikra attempted to prey on the chicks, only for them to evade capture successfully. The event aimed to educate participants about the challenges that birds face in their natural habitats.
Gobuk, Arunachal Pradesh (Gobuk Pettang Trail)
In Gobuk, students participated in a “Walk and Watch” session along the Pettang Trail, where they engaged in identifying and counting various bird species. Following a 30-minute walk, the group convened beneath a large tree for a bird-themed bingo game, which effectively maintained their enthusiasm. Participants subsequently sketched the birds they had observed and entered a contest to provide detailed descriptions of a chosen bird. The day culminated with a flashcard game, which emerged as a favorite activity among the children.
Mumbai (Bhandup Pumping Station)
In Mumbai, participants observed a range of captivating bird activities, including the sighting of a pair of Indian Golden Orioles and a Black Kite gathering nesting materials. The children were also fortunate to witness a courtship display by Purple-rumped Sunbirds. The event concluded with a nature journaling activity, during which participants sketched various plants and animals encountered throughout the walk.
In collaboration with
Number of Participants
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Pushkar Nargolkar
An avid birder, nature educator, inspires youth towards bird and nature conservation through creative outreach and leads bird walk.
