MUP releases third bird book on Manipal Bird Day

Manipal: The first Sunday of February is important for bird watchers in Manipal. The day is set aside for bird lovers to do a bit of trekking at the break of dawn to spot and identify birds in different areas of this plateau. Manipal Bird Day has come a long way since it first began nine years ago.

Last Sunday, 140 birders gathered at the rendezvous point at sunrise then split into groups and took different trails in and around Manipal to record all the birds they came across. Armed with cameras, binoculars and their senses, they set off along their trails, documenting the birdlife in a fun-filled interactive session, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for birds.  After the walk, the birders gathered at the KMC Food Court for discussions and comparing notes over breakfast.

This was followed by the release of the third edition of the book “A Birder’s Handbook to Manipal” By Mr. Ramit Singal, Published by Manipal Universal Press.  MAHE Vice Chancellor, Dr H Vinod Bhat released the book. Also present, were Dr Dinesh Singal and Dr Archana Singal who represented the author at the event.

Some of the birds spotted were the Yellow-wattled lapwings and Grey Headed Bulbuls, the orange-breasted Green Pigeons, Woolly-necked storks, Eurasian Hoopoe, Brown fish Owl, Alpine swift and Brown-breasted flycatcher.

Birds of prey were also sighted among the 141 species that were recorded. Eurasian marsh-Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Black-winged Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Crested Hawk-Eagle were snapped in the rich avifauna.

The event ended with an exhibition of paintings of birds and birders by Mr Adithya Bhat and photographs by Mr Sudheer Reddy.