Islamabad: A birdwatchers paradise

ISLAMABAD, July 7, 2010: Planning a short trip to the tree-covered tranquil spots, listening to the tweeting of birds and struggling hard to have their glimpse is a heart-pounding activity for the birdwatchers who consider this green city as a ‘paradise’ for rare species of birds.
The most popular destinations of these enthusiasts include Lake View Park, Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, Shah Allah Ditta, Saidpur and other points in Margalla Hills.
Amjad Rana, a student of the Pir Mehr Ali Shah University of Arid Agriculture, developed interest in birds when he was just a kid. At that time, he wanted to keep them in cages but now he is convinced that birds should always enjoy their freedom and keeping them in cages is an inhuman and cruel act.
“In order to enjoy watching birds, one should have knowledge about bird population in the area. Keeping listed notes will let a person keep track of birds that he has already seen,” he said, while carrying a pair of binoculars, an essential part of bird-watching equipment.
Birdwatchers often use binoculars that can stand up to terrain and weather conditions; otherwise it is quite difficult to manage in hilly areas or foggy conditions. As birds are not stationary and keep flying all the time, so binoculars must have the ability to keep images stabilised in any kind of situation. Stable and smoothly functioning tripod is also considered highly important for high-power or long-distance observation.
Some of the bird species quite popular among the enthusiasts due to their tuneful and melodious sounds include Bubo Bubo, Aythya Nyroca, Mergellus Albellus, fulvous breasted Woodpecker, Sindh Woodpecker, brown Crake, Mew Gull, Pallid Harrier, chestnut bellied Rockthrush, Megaceryle Lugubris, orange-headed Thrush, scaly Thrush, fufous bellied Niltava, white tailed Rubythroat, pied Starling, graceful Prinia, brooks leaf Warbler, red billed Leiothrix, russet Sparrow, olive backed Pipit, Chaffinch, pink-browed Rosefinch and pine Bunting.