Since 2019, Ansar got into a habit of watching birds that came to the orchards near his house. In just couple of years, he has seen more than 135 species of birds just around his house. He quest is to find one of the rarest birds in India- Long-billed Bush Warbler! Read on to find out more about him and what makes him tick.
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and where do you live?
My Name is Ansar Ahmad. I have completed my P.G in sociology from the University of Kashmir and my MBA in Human Resource Development from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). I am currently working as a para-vet in the Sheep Husbandry Department, Kashmir. I live in the lap of Zabarwan Range, in Nishat- a town on the eastern outskirts of Srinagar.
2. When and how did you get interested in birding?
Since 2019, I have been regularly observing birds from my balcony. It was interesting to watch various species come to the orchards around my house to eat fruits and seeds. The first bird that caught my attention was a Rose-ringed Parakeet feeding on an apple. And thereafter, I continued keeping a tally of other species that I visited my garden- Great Barbet, Common Rosefinch, Indian Golden Oriole, Asian Koel, Common Cuckoo, Cinereous Tit, Yellow- billed Blue Magpie. To nourish my skills and to get more knowledge on birds and wildlife I started accompanying my friend- Sheikh Riyaz who was already a good birder and I learnt from him. In 2020, I joined the popular birding group- Birds Of Kashmir and along with other members I started exploring the Kashmir Valley for birding.
3. Do you have a favourite bird or birds? Why is it/are they your favourite?
Yes, there are two birds in my favourite list: One is the Orange Bullfinch– one of the most colorful and also the crown bird of Kashmir. I think I am lucky to live in an area where its found during winter. The other is the Himalayan Monal– the queen of Himalayas. An adorable bird but very difficult to sight because its usually seen up in the mountains for which one has to trek high.
4. Do you have a birding partner or a group you enjoy birding with? How is birding alone different from birding with others?
I’ve made some good friends from the Birds of Kashmir group and almost every Sunday, we go birding and exploring different habitats of the Kashmir valley. As Kashmir’s unique landscape of vast forest tracts, mountains and valleys are preferred by many species of birds. It is risky to go alone in the forests and mountains as it also has wild animals and that is also one of the reasons why I prefer to go birding in a group or with a partner.
5. What is your most memorable Birding experience?
Sighting a lifer is always a memorable experience and I think I have many such experiences. For example, sightings of Sarus Crane in Jammu and of Demoiselle Crane in Kashmir are of course memorable experiences however, the rescuing an injured Himalayan Monal was the most memorable of all. It was a sunny day, when me and a few members of Birds of Kashmir were birding in Sonamarg and Baltal area, when all of a sudden a Himalayan Monal flew in front of me. I observed by the flight of bird that it was injured. We searched a lot but could not find it again. It was our birding friend-Mian Raza who then found the bird. On inspecting the bird we observed that it had wing injuries. After consulting with a vet, treatment was given. Once the bird was out of stress and completely healed we released the bird in the same habitat. It was a great moment for the whole team as the rescue, rehab and release was successful.
6. Anything on the birding bucket list? ( Doesn’t have to be bird, could be a place, witnessing a phenomena, etc.)
Birding in a Ladakh is in my bucket list as I have not travelled to any other place for birding yet. And the 2023 target list is Long-Billed Bush Warbler as it has old records in Kashmir. My friend Irfan Jeelani knows a few habitats where there could be possibility to find this species.
7. Which of the two do you enjoy more and why: a) regular Birding around your house / local patch/ district, or b) widespread birding in different landscapes across different districts and states?
As I live in a Nishat, my home is surrounded by all kinds of habitats like Dal Lake on one side and Zabarwan Mountains on other side. Behind Zabbarwan lies the famous Dachigam National Park so yes I like birding around my house. So far I have seen more than 135 species just around my house.
8. Have you set any birding goals for the coming months?
Yes, I most probably will visit some areas around Kupwara district.
9. What is your message for fellow birders?
Enjoy birding and always strive for conservation of birds and wildlife.
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