Birder Profile– Vrusha Patel

Meet Vrusha, a passionate birder who has been fascinated by birds since she was a child. She enjoys spending time in the field, observing and documenting raptors and their behavior. Here is more about Vrusha in her own words…

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and where do you live?

I am a creative director working in a production house called USP studios. I am based out of Mumbai.

2. When and how did you get interested in birding?

The sole credit goes to my parents. Both my parents are avid birders and naturalists. In my childhood, evenings and Sundays were dedicated to animal planet, discovery and Nat Geo!

3. Do you have a favourite bird or birds? Why is it/are they your favourite?

Owls are my favourite! I have a vivid memory from my childhood when I was 9 years old and my sister was 2 , and we were awakened by the loud screeching of a Barn Owl sitting majestically outside our window. At that age, we both were scared of it but since then, owls have reserved a special spot in my birding lists. I also have a very bizarre liking for BLUE birds!

4. Do you have a birding partner or a group you enjoy birding with? How is birding alone different from birding with others?

My steady partner is my husband, Varun Chokshi and I enjoy going birding with my local birding group Lokhandwala Harriers and Rovers by Rove Jungli. Birding in a group has helped me increase my knowledge and learn interesting facts about birds, their behaviours and even the locations they call home! Birding alone takes me to a zen like space, a peaceful space to unwind and relax.

5. What is your most memorable birding experience?

We visited Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary for New years. We spent the night tracking the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, a bird that has been on my bucket list for years! 5 hrs later in pitch darkness we had the most lovely sighting of both male and female birds.

6. Anything on the birding bucket list? (Doesn’t have to be a bird, could be a place, witnessing a phenomena, etc)

A few close birding friends and I in association with Siberian Environmental Center LLc are currently shooting a documentary on Urban Raptors, witnessing a Booted Eagle hunting is topmost on my bucket list as of now.

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 a mix of both, it’s great to understand and help conserve your local area. The more knowledge one has the more equipped you are to support the environment. I love to bird in different landscapes to learn about new species and their habitats.

8. How has your approach to birding changed over the years? (optional)

Initially I had blinders on about what species I was interested in, over time I have become more broad minded about exploring new and more challenging species like waders!

9. Have you set any birding goals for the coming months?

Complete our documentary and helping conserve the Lokhandwala Lake are my prime goals as of now.

Header Image: Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum  by Ashok Agarwal/ Macaulay Library