Meet Megha Kothadia, an avid birdwatcher who finds joy in both group and solo birding excursions. With a preference for small groups and a trusted birding partner by her side, she thrives on the synergy effect that enhances survey efficiency and fosters a collaborative learning environment.
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and where do you live?
My name is Megha. I live in Pune. I am a Spanish faculty and parental coach. Backpack adventure travel to the wilderness is my passion. I have extensively travelled in India and 25 countries abroad. I practice an eco-friendly lifestyle.
2. When and how did you get interested in birding?
During our college days in 1985, an innovative initiative named “Nature Window” was started by our professors, and I am very thankful to them. Every day, the “Nature Window” featured something new, such as a bird, a chameleon, a snake, or an insect, to engage and feed our curious young minds. This experience planted a seed of appreciation for nature in me, and it blossomed through nature outings with like-minded friends, ultimately turning me into a passionate birder.
3. Do you have a favourite bird or birds? Why is it/are they your favourite?
It’s a challenging question to answer because, to me, all of them are uniquely beautiful! However, I have a particular fondness for owls. They serve as indicators of the ecological health of their habitat, revered in some parts of India, and, at the same time, widely misunderstood in other regions, leading to many of them being killed. Such birds require protection through a widespread awareness program
4. Do you have a birding partner or a group you enjoy birding with? How is birding alone different from birding with others?
I go birding in small groups, often with a birding partner. Birding in a group creates a synergy effect, providing the best advantage during surveys for effortless multitasking and yielding better output in shorter birding sessions. It offers an opportunity to learn more from each other, share new ideas, and make birding more enjoyable. However, I also enjoy solo birding. Sitting silently and motionless in nature, observing birds for hours is a truly soothing and meditative experience for me
5. What is your most memorable birding experience?
While birding in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, I was sitting in my cottage when suddenly, out in the bushes, I spotted a noisy and agile flock of beautifully colored birds. They had bright orange bodies, black heads, dark red patches on their rumps and wings—it was a flock of Silver-eared Mesia. The icing on the cake was, just above in the tree canopy, the majestic Sultan Tit, with its bright yellow and coal-black colors, gracefully displaying its yellow crown as it moved from branch to branch. Both species are only found in northern India and were lifers for me!
6. Anything on the birding bucket list? (Doesn’t have to be a bird,could be a place, witnessing a phenomena, etc).
I wish to:
• Participate in bird surveys conducted all over the globe.
• Learn bird ringing.
• Go birding in the Amazon forest, Galapagos Islands, Africa, and Australia and at the same time learn more about the aboriginal tribes that live there.
• Know more about Mayan civilization; study the ethno-ornithological aspects of the Idu Mishmi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.
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?
I enjoy both:
a) Birding around gives me an idea about the biodiversity of my residential area. After noting around 35 birds in my locality, I started creating a favorable environment for their frequent visits to my home. I have potted flowering plants for the nectar gatherers, sown bajra for the grain eaters, and throughout the year, I provide water for birds to bathe and drink. During the nesting season, I keep cotton and coconut shreddings, which sunbirds, tailorbirds, and bulbuls use to build their nests. Besides the great feeling of satisfaction, ‘Birding from the Balcony’ is a very joyful experience!
b) Since birds are habitat-specific, engaging in widespread birding in different landscapes is definitely an enriching experience. It is surprising to learn how intelligently they adapt to sustain themselves in a particular habitat
8. How has your approach to birding changed over the years? (optional)
Initially, birding was primarily about enjoying their beautiful colors and melodious songs. However, my focus has now shifted to observing and documenting their behavior–hunting techniques, feeding patterns, nesting habits and their movements. I like to observe how they communicate through calls. These observations are scientifically significant for determining distribution ranges, abundance trends, and guiding conservation efforts.
9. Have you set any birding goals for the coming months?
Yes. I wish to participate in wetland bird survey; visit Desert National Park in Jaisalmer and Greater Rann of Kachchh.
Header Image: Himalayan Owl Strix nivicolum by Vinit Bajpai/ Macaulay Library
Yes, Megha is a great birder. She has a lot of patience.