Udiyaman Shukla

Where do you live?
I live in Golf Links, New Delhi

When did you start watching birds?
I started watching birds at the end of year 2007.

Who would you consider your birding mentor?
I mostly do birding on my own, but I take help from K.B. Singh.

Please describe a memorable birding experience.
I was at Sanjay Van, a forest area in Delhi on 11 June 2009 and was waiting for a photographer who was to take my photo. When he arrived, i took him to a scrub area where the light was good. The Photographer (Tashi) told me to pose by looking at a nearby Acacia and pointing at it.
Whether it was luck or destiny, I’m not sure but on that tree…at the exact place I was pointing a Pied Cuckoo flew in and perched! Soon it was joined by another Pied Cuckoo. Tashi took some pics of the birds as a third Cuckoo arrived on the spot. It was a lifer for me and also the first sighting of the Pied Cuckoo in Delhi that Monsoon. Definitely something I’ll remember for some time.

What are your favourite migrants?
My favourite winter migrants are:
Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers
Red-throated Flycatchers
Black Redstart
Common Chiffchaff
Ruddy Shelduck
Ashy Drongo
My favourite summer migrants are the Blue-cheeked and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters.

– What is your favourite place to watch migrants?
My favourite birding spots for migrants are Sanjay Van, Okhla Bird Park, Sultanpur Bird Santuary and Lodi Gardens in Delhi.

Do you have any advice for beginning birdwatchers and naturalists?
I myself am something of a beginner so I don’t have much advice on that

Why do you think people should care about birds and nature?
I feel that people should care about birds as they are an integral part of our ecosystem and add colour to our lives.

Indian Express carried an article about Udiyaman titled ‘Bird Boy’ in June 2009.

You can write to Udiyaman at udishukla@gmail.com. His MigrantWatch reports can be seen here, and his photos on MigrantWatch here.