From the MNS (Malaysian Nature Society) bulletin
for birdwatching enthusiasts, I read with utter disappointment that out of 184,485
participants in the World Bird Count last year, only a pathetic number of 49 took part in
whole of Malaysia including 12 from Penang. Some names of hard-core birders
that I know of are evidently missing from the small list. Sadly, it remains a
fact that birdwatching does not have the appeal in spite of the rich diversity of birds
found in our country. It is not because nothing or little has been done to
popularise birdwatching but I believe it is up to the interest of the individual.
Anybody
can take up birdwatching but how long one is able to sustain one’s interest is
another matter. It takes a lot of determination and devotion to become a
birder. Even though one has reached that stage, there is still much more to
learn in birdwatching. Birders are indeed a unique group of
people. Who will be able to withstand the scorching heat of the sun for hours
or be oblivious to the dangers and risks lurking in the forest? Few are able to
match the courage and patience of a birder. The word ‘fear’ is not found
in their dictionary. Fear to others is fascination to them. Point
out a live snake to birders and at once you will understand what I mean. Others
may take a few steps backwards but birders for sure will step forwards in eagerness to
identify and admire one of nature’s beautiful creatures.
Birders have
the tendency to be eccentric at times, much to the amazement of others. They
are the walking encyclopedias on wildlife and will furnish any information you need on the
spot. Not only they are well versed in ornithology but also in any other
general topic as well. So one should never underestimate the wealth of
knowledge birders possess and they will not hesitate to share or assist others with it.
Birdwatching itself is a
unique hobby. One may be a housewife, a doctor or a professor but in
birdwatching, everyone is on the same level, irrespective of their status. It
is interesting to see a housewife sharing information or solving an identification problem
with a professor. Every birdwatcher shares the same interest in birds and also
the love for nature. It is not just a hobby but more like a religion,
considering one has to make certain ‘sacrifices’. Having to get up
very early for a birding trip and to return probably late in the night is one of the
sacrifices. Another is to forego the comforts of home to be at places infested with
blood-sucking leeches and mosquitoes. These ‘sacrifices’ are in fact
a test of a birdwatcher’s determination and devotion in becoming a birder.
There is
actually a distinction between a birdwatcher and a birder. A birdwatcher may not be
able to identify a species new to him whereas a birder will also be able to describe
everything about the bird even though he does not get to see it. In fact,
birders know birds well enough unless an actual new species is discovered. Of
course, one will eventually progress from a birdwatcher to a birder depending on how keen
one’s interest is. One will always remain a birdwatcher or even drop out
if one does not have the initiative to make that progress. There are people who call
themselves birdwatchers but they still cannot differentiate between a swallow and a swift.
Birdwatching
is a highly rewarding hobby and birders can certainly vouch for that. Wildlife
artists, professional photographers, authors and even chairmen of organisations will never
forget their humble beginning as a birdwatcher.
Age is not the criterion to
start birdwatching. I have been with many, especially foreigners in theirs
60’s or 70’s and they all looked very active. At the rate they are
going, I have to confess they really put me to shame with their vigour and
vitality. I have yet to come across young birdwatchers going out on their own.
The very few I
have seen are those that tagged along with their fathers who themselves are
birdwatchers. These days, school education is very exam-orientated and parents
do not encourage their children to take up birdwatching for fear they will slack in their
studies. I only wish I could prove how wrong they were.
