Small birds steal doctor’s heart

Chennai: A city-based orthopedic doctor has reduced his sleeping hours for the past three months. An avid bird watcher,  he devotes his morning hours to birds. The balcony of his house is a nesting ground for small birds. Red Whiskered Common Bulbuls along with sparrows have started nesting in his balcony for the third consecutive breeding season. Sharing his views on avifauna,  Dr B. Baskaran said so far 50 different plant varieties particularly climbers and vegetables like brinjal have been planted in his balcony, despite protests from neighbours.

Some times,  the greenery is a breeding ground for insects. This sulks some local residents.  “Basically, I come from an agriculture-based family and my family also ensures that young birds emerging from nests are not disturbed. So far, five bulbul chicks and two sparrow chicks had successfully survived and we also periodically chase away crows, the major predator of these small birds,” he said.

“From February to May, every year at least two adult pairs nest in our balcony and they are used to our voices. The adults fly away whenever they notice any stranger. To ensure that butterflies also do breed in my house, I periodically plant Vellai Erukanchedi,” Dr  Baskaran added. “Small bird varieties when not disturbed can co exist with humans and Chennai houses were traditionally home for breeding sparrows till 80’s, but now things have changed due to high rise constructions and closed windows due to air conditioning,” said wildlife enthusiast K. Brinda of Biodiversity Conservation Foundation.