Budding Birder from Kollam, Young Ram Madhav’s Fascinating Journey into Bird Watching
In the quiet early mornings of Kollam, when the world is still stretching awake and the first light gently washes over the trees, a young boy walks beside his father with curious eyes and an eager heart. That boy is Ram Madhav – a Class 5 student of Stratford Public School – and his journey into the world of birds began not in a classroom, but under open skies.
Ram’s introduction to birdwatching was simple and organic. It started with watching his father head out for early morning bird walks. At first, Ram was just a curious observer. He noticed how his father would pause at the sound of a distant call, lift his binoculars, and smile quietly at a bird perched on a branch. He saw the excitement in identifying a species, the patience in waiting for the perfect moment, and the joy in documenting what they saw.
Slowly, curiosity turned into fascination. Ram began waking up early to join these walks. The chirping of bulbuls, the flashes of kingfishers near water bodies, and the silhouettes of egrets in the morning mist soon became part of his growing world. What fascinated him most was not just the colours of the birds, but their behaviour, how they fed, how they flew, how they called out to one another.
Recognising this growing spark, Ram’s father decided to nurture it gently. Instead of overwhelming him, he introduced him step by step into the world of birding. Ram received his first camera, a simple point-and-shoot. Along with it came bird identification booklets from Early Bird, designed especially for young learners. These booklets helped him recognise common local species and understand their basic habits.
That small camera became Ram’s first window into documentation. He started photographing whatever birds he could spot sometimes blurry, sometimes perfectly timed. Each image felt like a small achievement. With every click, he learned patience. With every missed shot, he learned resilience.
Gradually, Ram began identifying birds by sight and even by sound. He started recognising the repetitive call of the koel, the chatter of Mynas, and the sharp whistle of a Drongo. Birdwatching became more than a hobby it became a way of seeing the world more closely.
As months passed, Ram’s curiosity deepened. His father noticed the consistency early wake-ups without complaints, long walks under the sun, careful handling of his camera. Then came a defining moment in his journey. One day, his father handed him something special, his Nikon D7500 camera paired with a Tamron 18–400mm lens. With a simple but powerful sentence, he said, “Ram, this is yours now.”
For Ram, it was more than just a camera. It was trust. It was encouragement. It was belief. With this new setup, Ram’s world expanded. Birds that once appeared as distant specks now filled his frame in sharp detail. Feathers, eye-rings, wing patterns, details he had only read about now came alive in his images. His confidence grew alongside his technical skills.
Ram began joining regular bird walks near his home. Paddy fields, wetlands, and coastal areas became his classrooms. Each habitat introduced him to new species and new behaviours. In the wetlands, he observed herons standing motionless for minutes before striking. Along the coast, he watched terns glide effortlessly above the waves. In open fields, he searched patiently for pipits and larks camouflaged against the earth. What makes Ram’s journey remarkable is not just the equipment he uses, but his dedication to learning. He began maintaining an eBird account, a global platform where birders document their sightings. With careful documentation and regular observations, Ram has now recorded nearly 150 species. For a young birder in Class 5, this is an impressive milestone.
Mother Nature has always delighted little Ram with her surprises. Recently, during one of his bird-watching walks with his father and fellow members of the Kollam Birding Battalion along Vellanathuruth Beach in Kollam, he was fortunate enough to witness the mighty Laggar Falcon. The sighting was later confirmed as the first-ever authenticated record of the Laggar Falcon in Kerala, making the moment all the more extraordinary.
Each entry represents a memory – a sunrise, a walk, a discovery. Beyond photography, birdwatching has taught Ram valuable life lessons. He has learned patience – waiting quietly for a bird to land. He has learned observation, noticing subtle differences between similar species. He has learned responsibility, respecting habitats and maintaining ethical birding practices.
He understands that birdwatching is not just about taking pictures; it is about understanding and protecting the environment. Watching birds closely makes one aware of shrinking wetlands, disappearing trees, and changing seasons. Even at a young age, Ram has begun to understand that documentation can contribute to conservation.
Interestingly, forests still remain an unexplored territory for him. Most of his birding experiences have been around paddy fields, wetlands, and coastal landscapes near Kollam. But that only makes his journey more exciting. There are still many habitats waiting for him – dense forests, hill regions, and perhaps even national parks someday. For now, Ram continues to walk the familiar paths near his home, each outing offering something new. Some days are filled with action and multiple sightings. Other days are quiet, with long stretches of waiting. But he has learned that every outing matters. Even a single sighting can make a day special.
What stands out most about Ram is his quiet determination. There is no rush, no competition – just genuine curiosity. His journey shows how encouragement at home, combined with access to simple tools and resources, can nurture a lifelong passion.
In an age where many children are absorbed in screens and indoor activities, Ram’s story is refreshing. It reminds us that nature can still captivate young minds. All it takes is one early morning walk, one borrowed pair of binoculars, or one simple camera.
Ram Madhav’s birdwatching journey is still in its early chapters. With nearly 150 species already documented and countless more waiting to be discovered, his path promises growth, learning, and deeper connection with the natural world.
As he continues exploring, documenting, and learning, one thing is certain – this young birder from Kollam is not just observing birds; he is quietly building a relationship with nature that may shape his future in meaningful ways. The skies above Kollam are vast, and Ram’s journey has only just begun.
