In our latest session for young birders, participants met Prem, a Praying Mantis. Through a letter written from his point of view, Prem shared details about his life and even his dramatic dilemma of approaching a female mantis! After reading the letter, the participants enjoyed a quiz and many fun activities. Missed the live session? Watch the recording on our YouTube channel -

Check out our new resources

1. Introducing our brand new pocket guide ‘Birds of Bengaluru’. Featuring 142 familiar species, this guide is your ultimate companion for birdwatching adventures across Bengaluru.

   

Order Your Copy

2. Joining our popular Original and High-Altitude editions, Wetland Bird Bingo is the perfect tool to get children closely observing birds at a local lake or pond, and connecting with nature.

Download For Free

Read our latest blogposts

1. From YouTube to the Outdoors: Nature Learning Through Arivu Kendras - Through live online sessions and hands-on nature activities, Early Bird has been engaging children across Karnataka’s Arivu Kendras (Gram Panchayat Libraries) in exploring birds, insects, nature journaling, and local biodiversity. These joyful learning experiences are helping nurture curiosity, observation skills, and a deeper connection with the natural world. Read More

2. How to Be a Birding Buddy: Lessons from our educator workshops

The ‘How to Be a Birding Buddy’ workshops are designed to address the shared challenges every educator faces. Learn about what we discussed during these workshops to help you design your nature engagements. Read More

3. Spreading Our Wings – Young Birders’ Workshops 2026

Since 2021, Early Bird’s Young Birders’ Workshop has sparked a passion for nature in over 250 children. This year, the program took flight across India with in-person batches in 4 cities alongside our national online workshop. Discover the inspiring highlights from this year’s batches and learn how to launch your own. Read More

Explore our July events in pictures

See more photos and highlights from these sessions in our Instagram post.

Wins, Woes and Wonders of Teaching Young Birders (for educators) - Ever wanted to host a nature workshop for children but didn't know where to start? Tune into this panel discussion to listen to three educators who conducted the Young Birders' Workshop this year, as they share their key learnings, challenges, and creative twists.

Wild and Weird: The Insects of Our Backyard (for ages 10+) - In this session, explore the weirdest, wildest, and creepiest insects that thrive in our backyards. From glowing beetles to bizarre camouflage artists, learn about the superpower-like adaptations that make these creatures evolutionary champions.

Watch videos from our courses on YouTube

The Wonder of Birds - Learn about the the fascinating world of birds through this online course for beginners. All videos from the first chapter of the course are now available on YouTube in English, Hindi and Kannada.

Into the World of Birds - Discover the incredible world of birds with a special explainer series on Birds by Roundglass Sustain and Early Bird. Explore the playlist now to learn how birds see, hear, fly, communicate, and thrive in diverse ecosystems.

Fuel the Flight for Young Birders

If you believe children benefit from learning from nature, you can help us make it happen by funding Young Birders’ Month 2026 to reach thousands more children across India.

Donate through Razorpay

Do you remember the spark of wonder you felt the first time you truly noticed a bird? ✨

Last November, we saw that spark in 3,000+ children across India through 200+ collaborative events led by 150+ educators! (Check out highlights and pictures in the YBM 2025 Report)

This year, we are bringing back our flagship events - Wingmasters (The Inter-School Bird Quiz in Bengaluru), Flights of Imagination (A National Art Contest) and Feather Fest (A Bird-themed Weekend Festival in Bengaluru). And we need your help to scale up these events to reach even more young people!

Every contribution helps a child look up and discover the wonders of nature. To show our gratitude, all donors will be proudly acknowledged on our event pages.

Donate to Young Birders' Month 2026

If your organization uses Benevity, you can also support us by donating via our Nature Conservation Foundation project page – Donate via Benevity

Connect & Create: International Nature Journaling Week (1–7 June 2026)

Come join us outdoors to observe, draw, write, and reflect. Nature Journaling Week is your invitation to slow down, notice the small wonders, and connect with the wild world in your own meaningful way. 🌿

📸 Get Inspired: Follow us on Instagram for daily journaling prompts.

✍️ Get Featured: Share your journal pages with us or tag us on Instagram. Let’s celebrate curiosity and creativity together!

Spread Your Wings: Explore 'The Wonder of Birds'

Birds are nature’s enchanting ambassadors, offering a front-row seat to the wild world. Want to learn more? Check out this sneak peek from Chapter 1 of our free online course for beginners, The Wonder of Birds. Now available in English, Hindi, and Kannada.

Register for the course here

Completed our Intermediate Course? Win a T-Shirt!

If you’ve already completed the course - Into the World of Birds, we want to hear about your journey! Share a short video testimonial (30–60 seconds, recorded in vertical/portrait mode) about your experience, what you learned, and your favorite moments.

🎁 The Prize: 3 lucky participants will win an Endemic Bird T-shirt via a lucky draw!

📧 How to enter: Email your video to earlybird@ncf-india.org.

Celebrate World Environment Day Weekend with Us

If you are in Bengaluru, we would love to meet you at these events next weekend -

• Bhoomi Habba 📅 Saturday, 6th June | Kothanur

  Come visit our stall to explore our rich collection of resources and educational merchandise.

• Of Birds, Bees & Trees 📅 Sunday, 7th June | Bangalore International Centre

  Join us for an interesting panel discussion and a guided nature walk to experience how urban wildlife thrives. RSVP here to reserve your spot.

• Bird Walk: Real & Imaginary Birds 📅 Sunday, 7th June | Lalbagh

  Join us for a morning bird walk from 6:30 am - 8:00 am.

  • Age Group: 10 - 15 years

  • Registration: Contact +91 63623 55724 to register.

Join us for a morning at Cubbon Park where children slow down, explore the colours around them, and bring them together in a creative way.

Register Here

Fascinating Flamingos | Sunday, 26th April | Online Session

This International Flamingo Day (Apr 26th), dive into the weird & wonderful world of these iconic pink birds in a fun and interactive online session, filled with amazing videos and quizzes.

Register to get joining link

Young Birders’ Workshops | May-June | Multiple Cities

Planning your child’s summer holidays? Give them an experience that sparks curiosity and connection with nature 🌞🌱

📍 Find a batch near you:
- West Bangalore (Jnanabharathi 2nd Block): bit.ly/YBW2026_BLR1
- South East Bangalore (Off Sarjapur Road): bit.ly/YBW2026_BLR2
- North Bangalore (Sahakarnagar): bit.ly/YBW2026_BLR3
- Delhi (Sanjay Van): bit.ly/YBW2026_DEL
- Mumbai (Powai): bit.ly/YBW2026_BOM
- Kolkata (Rabindra Sarobar): bit.ly/YBW2026_KOL
- Pune (Sus Road): bit.ly/YBW2026_PUNE
- Salem (Kurumbapatti Zoo): bit.ly/YBW2026_SALEM

📌 Content of the workshop is developed by Early Bird and it will be conducted by independent educators. All workshop fees go entirely to the facilitators.

📍 Locations: Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune AND Online

An exciting opportunity for young birders aged 10–13 years to take the next step in their birdwatching journey. In this workshop, participants will explore bird behaviour, habitats, adaptations and much more!

A) Online Batch - facilitated by Early Bird Team

• Duration: 1st May to 31st May

• Timings of the online classes: Wednesdays: 4 - 5pm & Sundays: 11am - 12.30pm

• Last day to register: 5th April

  Register Here

B) In-person Batches

We are excited to announce in-person workshops at multiple locations this year! The content of the workshops is developed by Early Bird and they will follow a consistent theme and structure. These workshops will be conducted by an independent educator based in that location. All workshop fees go entirely to the facilitator.

Please refer to the below links for more details and to register for the in-person batches. Stay tuned to our Instagram and WhatsApp channels for the announcements about the remaining workshops.

1. Bangalore

   1. Bangalore University campus - Register here

   2. Sarjapur Area - Coming soon!

   3. North Bangalore - Register here

2. Delhi - Coming soon!

3. Kolkata - Coming soon!

4. Mumbai - Register here

5. Pune - Coming soon!

Bye Bye Birdies

As the migratory birds prepare for their long journeys back to their breeding grounds, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on this annual miracle of how these tiny beings navigate vast landscapes, crossing oceans and continents with precision and purpose. Birds unite our world, rendering human borders and divisions meaningless, reminding us that we are all interconnected, a message that we humans surely need to remember in these difficult times.

Revisit this insightful and fun conversation between birder Bijoy and scientist Tuhina which unravels the mysteries and the wonders of migration.

Sing it, Sketch it, Story it

Let’s reimagine nature engagement together! Our online session for educators does just that. Whether you are teaching in a classroom or a city park, explore how Music, Art, and Storytelling act as innovative and effective bridges between children and nature. Join us in our next Birding Buddies session and discover how you can use these creative tools.

📅 When: Thursday, Mar 26, 2026 | 5 - 6 pm

📍 Where: Online on Zoom

Register here

As the Great Backyard Bird Count gets underway and inspires people around the world to step outside and notice birds, here’s an online resource that can help many more get started. We are excited to share ‘Into the World of Birds’, a free, self-paced online course by Early Bird, Roundglass Sustain and Bird Count India.

Designed for learners aged 14 and above, this course explores:

• How birds live and experience the world through their senses.

• How to “think like a bird” as you observe them in action

• The tools to become a bird detective.

If you enjoyed our introductory course, The Wonder of Birds, this is the perfect next step to deepen your knowledge and sharpen your birding skills.

Dive in to learn more, the world of birds is waiting!

Enrol Now for Free

Nature Explorers - GBBC Walk for Young Birders

Celebrate the Great Backyard Bird Count with us this weekend!
These free guided bird walks are designed for young nature lovers and focus on spotting and learning about common backyard birds in our cities.

14 February

• Jakkur Lake, Bengaluru | Register here

• Ambalipura Lake, Bengaluru | Register here

• Marine Drive Walkway, Kochi | Register here

Spots are limited - register soon to confirm your place.

Birding 101 by Bird Count India and Early Bird

In this beginner-friendly webinar, participants learned how to identify common birds using simple clues such as size, behaviour, and habitat.

The session also explored:

• Fascinating aspects of birds, including their dinosaur ancestry and their remarkable ability to see ultraviolet light

• How Merlin Bird ID and eBird help with identification and citizen science

• Ways beginners can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)

Filled with practical tips and fun facts, this session is a perfect starting point for anyone curious about the birds around them.

Why Are Scientists Listening to Nature?

In our recent Young Birders session, Rithika Fernandes introduced participants to the fascinating world of bioacoustics, the science of studying animal sounds.

Through stunning films and research examples, the session revealed how scientists:

• Detect dolphins, whales, birds, and frogs using sound recordings

• Study animal communication and behaviour

• Understand biodiversity and ecosystem health by listening to nature

• Understand how human-made noise affects wildlife

With lively stories, eye-opening insights, and an interactive quiz, the session offered a fresh way to experience nature - by listening to it.

Birds, Wonder and Play

In our latest Birding Buddies session, Priti and Prasad introduced educators to the power of playful and interactive tools for connecting people with nature.

More than 40 educators attended the live session and explored:

• What “play” and “games” mean in learning

• How simple activities can make nature education engaging

• How games like Birds in the City help us understand urban biodiversity

In our upcoming Birding Buddies session, we will meet the creators behind the game “Birds in the City” to unlock one of the most powerful tools in a nature educator’s toolkit: PLAY. We’ll explore how games can simplify complex concepts and promote lasting emotional connection with nature.

• When: Saturday - 31st January | 11 AM - 12 PM

• Where: On Zoom

Whether you’re teaching in a classroom or leading a field trip, discover how to use the mechanics of play to ignite curiosity in children.

Register to join this session

Why are scientists listening to nature?

Have you ever wondered how scientists "hear" what animals are saying?

Designed for ages 10+, this session will explore the fascinating world of bioacoustics – how scientists use special microphones and computers to listen to what the non-human world is talking about. These recordings help us understand how animals communicate with each other, find food, and stay safe. Through Roundglass Sustain films we'll discover how birds "talk" to each other using different sounds and songs, why scientists record animal sounds in forests, jungles, and even underwater, and how some species use clever tricks like mimicking other animals. We'll also learn why listening to nature helps us protect animals and their homes.

• When: Sunday 8th February | 11.30 AM - 12.30 PM

• Where: On Zoom and YouTube

Register to join on Zoom

Join India's Biggest Bird-a-thon (13 - 16 Feb)

Bird Count India is excited to announce that Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) - the world’s largest bird counting event is just around the corner! From 13-16 February 2026, bird enthusiasts across the globe will document their sightings and contribute valuable data to science through the eBird platform. Last year, over 6000 birdwatchers in India reported more than 1000 species during this 4-day event!

GBBC is a celebration of birds, with hundreds of birding events conducted all over the country to introduce new people to the joy of birding. Register your own event or find one to take part in - https://birdcount.in/counts/gbbc/

Alongside GBBC, campuses take part in the Campus Bird Count (CBC) to monitor birds in schools, colleges, and universities. Learn more

Register a public bird walk during GBBC and receive 10 complimentary pocket guides from Early Bird.

For any questions or assistance, feel free to reach out via email at gbbcindia@birdcount.in or on WhatsApp at +91 90081 96098.

Get ready for GBBC by learning more about birds through our free courses in English, Hindi and Kannada - https://courses.early-bird.in/

New Pocket Guide - Birds of Jharkhand

Featuring 140 familiar species, this guide is your ultimate companion for birdwatching adventures across Jharkhand. Perfect for beginners and designed for field use, this bilingual (Hindi and English) guide is durable and laminated.

Order Your Copy

2025 was an exciting and action-packed year for the Early Bird team. While we continued building on the work from previous years, we also introduced several new initiatives. Here’s a quick recap of what we accomplished.

Engagements with Young Birders

1. Young Birders’ Workshop brought together 50+ children from across the country, each carrying their own stories and local birding experiences. The participants not only learned a lot from each other, but also easily found a sense of belonging among peers who share their love for birds and the wild. Read more about this workshop on our blog.

   “The facilitators managed to engage kids throughout the sessions and we always looked forward to attending the sessions. My kid has started noticing bird behaviors closely when we are outdoors and in fact we are trying to be more outdoors for bird sightings and observing nature in general” ~ Neha, Participant’s mother

2. Webinar Series: 300+ children participated in our online sessions, enjoying everything from storytelling and discovering birds, butterflies, and insects to interactive discussions on nature-related careers. These sessions are available as recordings on our YouTube Channel.

3. Young Birders’ Month: we partnered with WWF India to plan and launch the first edition of Young Birders Month (YBM) in November 2025. Individual educators, birders, and conservation organizations came together to conduct 200+ events across 88 locations, spanning diverse geographies and communities in the country. Together, these activities reached 3000+ participants as young as four years old through to college students. Our own activities included an exciting two-day Feather Fest at the Bangalore International Center.

   “Before this event, I never paid much attention to the birds around our school. But today, with the binoculars and the bird sheet, I learned to look closer. We found a Red-vented Bulbul! It was amazing to see how quickly it flew away. Now, I feel like I’m a detective who knows how to spot our local birds. It makes our school campus feel like a special jungle!” ~ Participant from Jamnagar, Gujarat

   Read more about our journey of organizing the first edition of this nationwide celebration, on our blog.

Bird Watching session organized by BWS - School Birds in Shantiniketan, West Bengal

Engaging and Empowering Educators

We continued to engage with educators through online and offline platforms, significantly expanding our network and building a connected community.

1. In-person workshops: We conducted ‘How to be a Birding Buddy’ workshops at the Kawal Bird Festival in Telangana and the Jaipur Bird Festival in Rajasthan. We also held specialized workshops for the Liana Trust in Honsur, teachers involved in the Kids for Tigers programme and the Children in Nature conference in Bangalore.

2. Online Workshops: we hosted a series of training sessions designed to build momentum for the Young Birders’ Month activities in November. These included online sessions focused on nature-based games, nature journaling, and practical tips for conducting both indoor and outdoor lessons.

3. Birding Buddies Online Series: We covered a wide range of themes from inquiry-based learning to strategies for involving children in citizen science.

We look forward to hosting more of these sessions to offer continued support for those navigating their own nature education journeys.

Strengthening Nature Learning through Librarians

Building on last year’s momentum, our efforts to transform Gram Panchayat libraries into nature learning spaces continued to expand across Karnataka.

1. Online sessions

   1. We conducted two online sessions – 1) Birds and nature and 2) Bird song streamed live to around 6,000 Gram Panchayat libraries, enabling children to engage deeply with the world of birds

   2. With the launch of the Wonder of Birds course in Kannada, we conducted a statewide orientation with the RDPR department, streamed live to around 6,000 librarians, enabling librarians to register and deepen their engagement with nature education.

      “This course helps children learn about birds by observing them closely. It is engaging for both children and adults, and we plan to share it widely through our library.” - Latha H B, Librarian

2. In person trainings

   1. To provide deeper support, we conducted an intensive four-day training for 89 Gram Panchayat librarians across four taluks of Bengaluru Rural district, focusing on effective use of the ‘Prakrutiya Pettige’ nature education kit.

   2. We also trained Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj Fellows working in the Kalyana Karnataka region and provided them with Early Bird resources to support librarians and strengthen the reach of nature education.

3. Understanding on-ground impact: Our interns visited 170 Gram Panchayat libraries in Bengaluru urban and rural districts, interacting with librarians, gathering feedback, and observing children engage with nature through books and creative activities. Read more about our interns’ experience on our blog.

Together, these continued training and collaborations are helping libraries emerge as welcoming community spaces where children develop curiosity, creativity, and a lasting connection with the natural world.

New Courses and Materials

1. Into the World of Birds : We launched this course as a sequel to our popular free online course - The Wonder of Birds. This new, self-paced, free course is designed to help you dive deeper into understanding birds through four comprehensive chapters. The Introduction and Chapter 1 are available for you to begin your journey and the remaining chapters will be released soon.

Sign up now!

2. Resources in local languages: To reach a broader audience and support educators and learners in their own languages, we translated some of our existing resources. We now offer The Handbook for Bird Educators in Kannada, along with The Wonder of Birds free online course in both Kannada and Hindi.

3. New Pocket Guides: We added two new pocket guides to our existing offering for 25+ regions in the country. These laminated pocket guides are perfect for birding on the go!

   1. Birds of the Desert – Covers 148 species from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan to Banni Grasslands in Gujarat, with bilingual names in Hindi & English

   2. Wetland Birds of Goa – Features 132 species from Goa’s wetlands, with bilingual names in Konkani & English.

As we start the new year, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to you - for participating, partnering, and cheering us on through each of these initiatives. We look forward to continuing this journey together with your support in 2026.

Happy New Year!

Garima Bhatia
for Team Early Bird

Our weekend festival on Nov 22nd- 23rd in Bangalore, drew audiences of all ages to explore the world of birds through art, stories, science and discovery. The participants, audiences, event hosts and volunteers filled Feather Fest with smiles, curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm throughout the weekend! Here is a glimpse of some of the highlights -

• From sketching and stories to nests and poetry - Feather Fest had something wonderful for every young nature lover! Children enjoyed nature journaling, lively bird games, delightful storytelling sessions, a peek into the world of nests, and a joyful poetry session.

• The Chirp Challenge - Our eight participants and the audience screeched, hooted, applauded and laughed their way through three exciting rounds. A super close contest ended with 13-year-old Arhaan taking home the prize for the first place!

• The Art Exhibition corner - Visitors appreciated and voted for the best among the vibrant artworks shortlisted from our art contest - Flights of Imagination. Adheera’s sensory sunbird and its nest and Adhvik’s impressive origami exhibit drew lots of interest and many smiles.

Young Birders’ Month Wrap-up

Young Birders’ Month (YBM) concluded on 30th November and we are thrilled to share that 202 events were conducted across 88 locations as part of this celebration!

YBM events ranged from regular bird walks to an amazing variety of bird and nature themed events - nature journaling, storytelling sessions, film screenings, quizzes, birdwalks for visually impaired birders, walks led by young birders themselves, chirpy bird-imitation competitions, and many more. Each event reflected the dedication of educators, the curiosity of young participants, and the magic of connecting with birds and nature.

Thanks to all the amazing event hosts and enthusiastic participants for making the very first edition of Young Birders’ Month an overwhelming success!

Trainings for Educators

• Abhisheka from the Early Bird team recently conducted an engaging online session on birds and nature, reaching more than 3,700 Gram Panchayat libraries across Karnataka. The session was live-streamed and included storytelling, interactive activities, and hands-on nature exploration.

• The Early Bird team was recently at the Liana Trust, Rathnapuri, Hunsur training teachers, headmasters, librarians, MSW students, and members from different organizations.

  

  They explored birdwatching basics, Early Bird games, and simple ways to create bird-inspired art, making nature learning hands-on and engaging. Participants discovered new facts about birds and left with practical methods to connect children with nature that can be easily done in their schools and communities.

We are thrilled to announce that Young Birders’ Month has crossed 150 listed events on youngbirders.in.

The energy and passion of nature educators across the country has been truly inspiring. From big cities to small towns and quiet villages, 70+ locations are chirping with activity from bird walks, nature-journaling workshops, quizzes, webinars and more.

It has been an absolute delight to see the event photos, stories, and highlights on Instagram. Many events were also featured in the local and national news.

Every event showcases the passion of this community of educators who have come together to help children connect with birds and nature. As the celebration continues over the next two weeks, we look forward to many more moments of wonder, curiosity, and fun!

Discover Events Near You

Feather Fest – Celebrating Birds Through Stories, Art and Beyond

Early Bird in partnership with the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), is excited to present Feather Fest, a vibrant, two-day bird festival on 22–23 November 2025 at BIC, Domlur. Join us in a celebration of the wonder and allure of birds, through art, stories, science and discovery – perfect for curious minds of all ages.

Highlights

• Opening session: Birds, Books and Banter - a spirited chat between Rohini Nilekani, Bikram Grewal and Suhel Quader on their shared love for birds.

• Nature journaling workshop, games, story telling and poetry for kids.

• Hot Cities and Cold Birds: A talk by Anusha Shankar with insights from her fascinating research on birds and how they adapt to changing environments.

• Chirp Challenge - A Bird Imitation competition for 11-16 year olds.

• Birdsong exhibit by the IME museum, photographs and artworks by young birders.

• Closing event: India premiere of the award-winning documentary Every Little Thing.

• Schedule of Day 1 events

• RSVP for Day 1 events

• Schedule of Day 2 events

• RSVP for Day 2 events

🎟️ Entry: Free (First Come, First Served; RSVP required)

New Course Alert | Into the World of Birds

We are delighted to announce the launch of ‘Into The World of Birds’, a free, self-paced online course presented by Early Bird and Roundglass Sustain.

You already know birds are fascinating - but did you know they’re descended from dinosaurs? And that’s just the beginning. Birds possess astonishing “superpowers”: exceptional eyesight, acute hearing, and even a refined sense of smell, all of which help them thrive in every corner of the earth.

This course invites young learners (aged 14 and above) to explore the science and skills essential to birdwatching. If you’ve taken our introductory course, The Wonder of Birds, and found yourself hungry for more, you’ll love Into The World of Birds.

Enrol Now for Free

Across India, the next month is all about birds and wonder! From bird walks and storytelling to nature journaling and film screenings, Young Birders’ Month is brimming with creative ways to connect with the wild.

Families, children, and nature lovers are invited to join the celebrations and rediscover the joy of the natural world. We are thrilled to also share that Young Birders’ Month has been featured in The Hindu and The Times of India.

Explore events near you, from Spiti to Kanyakumari, at youngbirders.in and don’t miss these online sessions open to everyone!

1. Flights of Imagination - Bird Art Contest | Submission deadline : Nov 9th

   Open to all children and young people in India, aged 11-16. Free to enter!

2. Games and Tips for Nature Education | in Malayalam - Nov 1st

   This session is designed especially for educators and we will explore creative bird-themed games and activities.

3. Song of the Sholakili | Nov 6th

   Discover the story of the Sholakili - the songbird that inspired a scientific exploration into evolution, endemism, and the fragile beauty of high-altitude forests.

4. Chalo Bhare Uchhi Udaan - Nov 9th

   This engaging session aims to inspire the next generation of bird enthusiasts by introducing them to the fascinating world of birds found in their surroundings.

5. Nature Stories and Poems | with Zai Whitaker - Nov 9th

   Step into the world of stories, poems, and fascinating creatures with writer and naturalist Zai Whitaker in this online session.

6. An introduction to birding tools and citizen science apps - Nov 9th

   Learn how your passion for birds can make a difference through citizen science, connecting enthusiasts, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.

7. Story Telling Session : Winged Wonders, Feathery Friends - Nov 12th

   Join us for a delightful storytelling session with beloved children’s author Katie Bagli.

8. The Wild About India Quiz: Calling All Young Nature Lovers - Nov 16th

   An online quiz on India’s wildernesses and its wild inhabitants inspired by The Wild About India book series by Indian Pitta Kids and Juggernaut.

Workshops for Nature Educators

Earlier this month, Early Bird hosted three sessions for Nature educators where we explored creative ways of making nature education sessions more engaging. If you missed any of these sessions, you can catch the recordings on Early Bird’s YouTube channel.

1. Games Galore - Bird, Learn and Play : An engaging session where we explored creative ideas for bird-themed games and activities that make nature engagement effective for children.

2. Tips and Tricks for Bird Walks and Talks : A hands-on session designed to provide educators with practical tips and tricks for enhancing nature engagements, both indoors and outdoors.

3. Nature Journaling Workshop: Simple, engaging ways to help your students cultivate mindful observation and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

New Course Launching Soon: Into the World of Birds

Into The World of Birds, a new free, self-paced online course from Early Bird and RoundGlass Sustain, will invite young learners to explore the science and skills behind birdwatching.

Building on The Wonder of Birds, Early Bird’s popular introductory course that celebrated the beauty and diversity of birdlife, this will be the next step for learners ready to deepen their knowledge. The course will blend accessible science with hands-on birding practice – from understanding flight and behaviour to learning how to observe, identify, and interpret birds in their natural habitats, especially across India’s varied landscapes.

Coming soon at courses.early-bird.in!

YBM is a month-long campaign, designed to engage children with the world of birds through creative and educational activities. This initiative is designed to spark wonder and ecological awareness in young people while also creating a platform for nature educators to amplify their work and connect with a wider audience.

We invite you to join this celebration and help us grow Young Birders’ Month into an annual tradition that children across the country eagerly await each November.

Interested organizations and individuals can submit the proposed event details via the ‘Host an Event’ page on the website: https://youngbirders.in/host-events/. Events can be in-person or online, from bird walks, quizzes, games and art workshops to webinars, storytelling sessions and competitions. For ideas and tips on conducting bird-themed events, join our upcoming workshops this month (details below).

Workshops for Nature Educators

1. Games Galore! Birds, Learn, Play

Join us for an online session where we will explore ideas on bird-themed games and activities to make nature engagement effective for children. We will demonstrate how a playful approach can enhance learning about nature, showing that it can be a fun and interactive process.

When : Saturday - October 11, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Register Here

2. Tips and Tricks of Bird Walks and Talks

This session is designed to provide educators with practical tips and tricks for enhancing nature engagements, both indoors and outdoors. It will explore effective methodologies and a range of examples to illustrate how to design sessions that foster meaningful and sustained connections between children and nature.

When: Thursday - October 16, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Register Here

3. Nature Journaling for Educators

Learn simple, engaging ways to help your students cultivate mindful observation and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Discover the joy of recording your own observations through journaling, and take home ideas you can easily adapt in your classroom or outdoor sessions.

When: Friday - October 24, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Register Here

We are celebrating Big Butterfly Month with a deep dive into the fascinating world of butterflies! Discover how these tiny creatures live their amazing lives from hungry caterpillars to fluttering beauties. And learn cool facts that will make you look at butterflies in a whole new way.

When? Sunday, 28 Sept 2025 from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

About the speaker - Prakruthi Subramanya is a certified naturalist and trainer currently serving as Programme Director and Trainer at The Naturalist School. She leads certified nature guide programs across India in landscapes ranging from tiger reserves to community ecosystems.

Join the session online on Zoom or watch the session LIVE on our YouTube Channel.

Register for the session

The Wonder of Birds course - now available in three languages

We are happy to share that ‘The Wonder of Birds’ course is now available in English, Hindi and Kannada.

🔍 What is it about? A multimedia, mobile-friendly course celebrating the beauty and significance of birds.

🎓 Who can take it? Curious nature-lovers aged 11 and above! All you need is basic English/Hindi/Kannada literacy and internet access.

⏳ How long? This self-paced course takes an estimated 3 hours from start to finish. Take it from anywhere, at any time!

Enroll for the Course

Media Coverage: The Hindu | The New Indian Express | दैनिक भास्कर

Complete ‘The Wonder of Birds’ course by the end of this month for your shot at winning an Endemic Birds T-shirt. Don’t let this chance fly away!

Birds in the City: Bengaluru Edition | New Board Game

Pre-order this purposefully crafted board game that invites you to reimagine Bengaluru from a bird’s-eye view. Navigate urban challenges set against the rich habitats of the vibrant IT capital and garden city of India. Collaborate and take actions - plant trees, compost, and install bird feeders to provide resources that help birds survive and thrive. Collect badges for your efforts as the city transforms and the birdlife flourishes.

Shipping of the orders will commence from 1 October.

Pre-Order Here

Today, we celebrate you - the educators who spark curiosity, inspire wonder, and guide children in discovering the magic of the natural world. Your role in shaping young minds and opening doors to nature is truly invaluable.

To walk alongside you on this journey, we have curated a collection of resources from across the nature education space. From books and games to courses and digital toolkits, these resources are designed to enrich your teaching and help children connect more deeply with the environment around them.

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) has launched a Digital Repository -The SNAIL Network for environment educators. It is a database of 1000+ resources, in 8 languages and in a variety of formats - picture books, field guides, stories, poems, posters, films, activity ideas and more.

Be a Neighbourhood Naturalist

This book is perfect for curious minds of all ages to explore, observe, and fall in love with the nature around them. Packed with fun experiments, curious questions, and nature activities - this beautifully illustrated book will help you turn your everyday surroundings into a world of discovery.

There’s Nothing There!

This children's storybook by Nature Classrooms has the story of Arali and her Amma’s journey from her school to their home, and everything that they see (or maybe don’t) in between. You will enjoy going on a nature discovery walk with them that is full of surprises and delightful moments! This book is available in bilingual options of English - Kannada and English - Hindi.

Handbook For Bird Educators

This Handbook from Early Bird is for those who are passionate about birds and nature and are seeking fresh ways to spread that to a larger audience. It is a curation of ideas, activities, projects, games and overall best practices that can be carried out by one or few educators, over short durations of time, and at little or no cost. This Handbook is now available in Kannada as well.

Biodiversity Explorer Kit by WWF

This Biodiversity Explorer Kit is for simply anybody to fall in love with biodiversity in your backyard and engage with the fascinating flora, fauna, and fungi we live with. This resource has been developed by Nature Connect, an initiative of WWF-India's extensive Environment Education programme working pan-India.

Tree Trails – A SeasonWatch game

SeasonWatch is a citizen science project, an India-wide effort to monitor seasonal changes in trees like leaves, flowers, and fruits to understand climate change. Check out their online game to learn about the life of trees.

Map the Wild - Board Game by Forgotten Greens

Map the Wild, a first-of-its-kind board game brings conversations about rewilding urban landscapes to the gaming table. Designed as a light strategy game, it draws players into a climate-altered world where two friends must navigate an overgrown city and survive by relying on wild edible and medicinal plants.

The Wonder of Birds - Now in Kannada!

Early Bird’s popular free online course - The Wonder of Birds, originally launched in English, is now available in Kannada and coming soon in Hindi as well – making learning about birds accessible for more nature lovers.

Eco Explorers - Tips and Games for Nature Trails

In this fun-filled course, you’ll join immersive video nature trails and learn how to observe and connect with biodiversity in everyday spaces. Dive in for practical tips, engaging activities, and nature-based games.

Birding Buddies - Webinars for Nature Educators

Games, Art, Storytelling and more - get ideas and tips for your next session from this series of webinars by and for nature educators. Also, check out our YouTube Channel for many interesting webinars about birds and nature.

Want to see how others are nurturing curiosity about nature? Check out our blog series - Meet an Educator. We are always looking to highlight passionate nature educators. If someone you know is making a difference, tell us about them at earlybird@ncf-india.org.

And do take this survey for nature educators as it will help us identify your needs and plan our next projects accordingly.

Still curious for more? Take a look at our earlier Teacher’s Day mailers - 2024 & 2023 - a treasure trove of activities, stories, and resources for educators like you.

Thank you for everything you do to bring nature into children’s lives. Your efforts light the spark of curiosity that grows into lifelong wonder. We are grateful for your dedication and delighted to walk this path alongside you.

Join us for an interactive online session designed especially for curious explorers aged 9-12! Bring along your little treasures from nature and author Bijal Vachharajani will take us on a wonderful journey where each treasure becomes a story, and every story becomes a time machine.

• When? 31 August 2025, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

• Where? Online on Zoom for 9-12 year olds. This session (unlike our recent sessions) will not be streamed live on YouTube.

Register to save your spot

Our last month’s session on Nature Careers featured three professionals sharing their inspiring journeys in conservation, communication, and research. Packed with practical advice on career paths, the recording is now available to watch here.

A Journey through Bengaluru’s Gram Panchayat Libraries

Over the past three months, our interns Snehith and Bindu have journeyed through the libraries of Bengaluru - meeting passionate librarians, and watching children discover the joy of nature. Together, they visited over 170 libraries as part of Early Bird’s collaboration with the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate (KPRC), helping to integrate nature education into rural libraries.

Along the way, they encountered inspiring librarians - like a visually impaired teacher who turned The Thirsty Crow into a painting activity, and others who transformed libraries into imaginative, child-friendly spaces.

Read More On Our Blog

Our team recently trained the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj Fellows on using the Prakruthiya Pettige Nature Education kit through hands-on activities and games. See highlights from this energetic session here.

The Wonder of Birds - coming soon in Hindi!

We are delighted to announce that The Wonder of Birds course will soon be available in Hindi. This launch will mark another step towards making nature education accessible to learners across the country. Catch a glimpse of what’s coming -

To mark the launch of the The Wonder of Birds course in Kannada (Pakshigala Vismaya Loka), the Early Bird team conducted an orientation with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), which was streamed live to over 6,000 Arivu Kendras across Karnataka. Read more about this initiative here.

Win an Endemic Bird T-Shirt!

Our Lucky Draw Giveaway is back by popular demand! Three lucky winners will receive a colourful Endemic Birds of India T-shirt.

How to enter:
1️⃣ Create an account at early-bird.in/the-wonder-of-birds
2️⃣ Complete The Wonder of Birds online course (in English or Kannada)
3️⃣ Stay tuned - winners will be announced on 06 Oct 2025 on Early Bird’s social media handles.

Do not miss this chance to learn about birds and win something wonderful along the way!

Join us to explore how Citizen Science platforms can be innovatively used in your engagements. This online session will equip you with practical skills and strategies for designing and implementing projects that enable sustained, hands-on nature inquiry - turning children into active contributors!

When? Saturday, 26th July 2025 | 11 AM - 12 PM
Where? Online on Zoom and Live on YouTube

Register Here

Working in the Wild | Q&A on Nature Careers (for young birders)

Thinking about turning your passion for nature into a future career?

Join us for an interactive online session with three nature professionals as they share their journeys, experiences, and advice. Ask questions, get inspired, and learn about career paths in the world of nature and conservation.

When? Sunday, 27th July 2025 | 11:30 AM to 12.30 PM
Where? Online on Zoom (for 14-18 year olds) and Live on YouTube (for adults)

Register Here

Meet the panelists : Anita Mani – Founder & Editor of Indian Pitta Books, Ashwin Viswanathan – Research Scientist at the Nature Conservation Foundation, Anirudh Arun – Student of Environmental Science at the University of Washington

Be a Neighbourhood Naturalist

This book is perfect for curious minds of all ages to explore, observe, and fall in love with the nature around them. Packed with fun experiments, curious questions, and nature activities - this beautifully illustrated book will turn your everyday surroundings into a world of discovery.

Your purchase will also include Bird Bingo, Bird Survivor Game, and Join-the-Dots activities - when you buy directly from our store!

Purchase your copy

The Wonder of Birds - Now in Kannada!

Early Bird’s popular free online course The Wonder of Birds, originally launched in English, is now available in Kannada as well – making learning about birds accessible for more nature lovers.

🔍 What is it about? A multimedia, mobile-friendly course celebrating the beauty and significance of birds.
🎓 Who can take it? Curious nature-lovers aged 11 and above!
⏳ How long? This self-paced course takes an estimated 3 hours from start to finish. Learn from anywhere, at anytime!
📚 Structure: Explore 4 chapters, further subdivided into topics, which create an interconnected journey.

Enroll Now

To celebrate 1,500 completions, we’re running a Lucky Draw Giveaway! 10 lucky winners will receive an exclusive Endemic Birds t-shirt!

Here’s how you can enter:

1️⃣ Complete The Wonder of Birds course.
2️⃣ Share your certificate by replying to this email.

Winners will be announced on 24 June 2025 on Early Bird’s social media.

Don’t miss this chance to complete your bird journey — and win something wonderful along the way!

Need help continuing where you left off? Just log in and pick up from where you stopped.

Take the Course

To Step In or Stand Back

Have you ever spotted a baby bird or an injured animal and wondered what to do? To step in or stand back?

In this interactive session, wildlife rescue experts - Jayanthi Kallam and Subiksha Venkatesh - will help you learn how to safely help animals and when it is best to leave them alone.

When? Sunday, 29 June 2025 | Time: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Where? Online on Zoom (for kids 10-16 years of age)

Register Here

Live on YouTube for those who do not fall within the age range.

Come discover how you can be a real wildlife champion in your own neighborhood! Please share any questions you have for the panelists in the registration form.

Jayanthi Kallam is Executive Director and Subiksha Venkatesh is Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator at the Avian & Reptile Rehabilitation Center (ARRC).

Birdsong Exhibit

The Birdsong Exhibit is now on display at the Indian Music Experience Museum in Bengaluru until the end of July. This captivating exhibition invites you to explore the biological wonder of songbirds, their influence on music, and their cultural significance in India.

For those unable to visit in person, the exhibit is also available online, ensuring wider access to this enriching experience. Dive into the melodies and stories of songbirds that enhance our environment.

Visit the physical exhibit or explore the online version!

Online Birdsong Exhibit

From Feathers to Friendships

From observing bird behaviour and exploring habitats, to collecting feathers, solving bird riddles, and diving into quizzes — this year’s Young Birders’ Workshop was packed with learning, laughter, and love for birds!

We wrapped up with reflections, stories, and a whole lot of curiosity sparked among our young participants. Catch the full highlights on our blog. A big thank you to all our enthusiastic young birders for joining us on this journey!

Read the Blog

Here’s an exciting opportunity for young birders! A 4-week online workshop for 10-13 year old children.

When? 11 May - 8 June 2025 | Registrations and details here
Please note that today is the last day to register for the workshop.

Register by 30 April 2025

This is a unique workshop for young birders between the ages of 10 and 13 to take the next step in their bird watching journey. Specially developed for birders to go beyond mere identification, they will have the chance to dig deeper and understand bird behaviour, habitat, adaptations, observation skills, nature journaling and more. During the online workshop, participants engage in outdoor exploration through weekly homework assignments aligned with each theme.

Check out our blog about previous workshop editions.

Ever wondered how birds know when it's time to travel? Or how they find their way back, year after year?

Join us for a fun and interactive Young Birders’ session all about bird migration — where birder Bijoy and scientist Tuhina come together for a lively chat filled with stories, science, games, and quizzes!

Register for the Session

No Passports Required - A Bird Migration Adventure

🗓 Sunday, 4th May 2025 | 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

📍 Online on Zoom (for kids aged 8–16) | LIVE on YouTube for others

This isn’t your usual slideshow — it’s a conversation where you get to join in. Come ready to listen, share, and ask your own questions!

Feeling the heat? So are the birds!☀️

Just like us, birds love a cool splash in summer. In these scorching Indian summers, a simple bird bath is an easy way to help birds beat the heat!

All you need is a shallow bowl of clean water placed in a shady spot—on your balcony, terrace, or garden. Refill it regularly, and watch the birds come for a drink or a splash!

✨ Use an earthen pot to keep the water cool.

🪨 Add a stone for smaller birds to perch on.

🧽 Clean it at regular intervals.

Insects possess a very different perspective of their world because of the variety of senses they possess-from chemicals to magnetic fields.

Join us for an online session with Gauri Gharpure who will take us on a trip to explore these senses and how they are used by insects.

When? Saturday, 22 March 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Where? Online on Zoom | LIVE on YouTube

The Zoom session is only for children ages 8-16. If you are over the age group, please join the session LIVE on YouTube.

Register for the session

Can't figure out how to make nature learning fun? Have questions about communicating with kids about nature?

Ask the experts your questions during this month's Birding Buddies Online Session! We will explore creative tools for engaging with nature in this online session. How do you like to connect with nature? Tell us about it!

When? Saturday, 29 March 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where? Online on Zoom | LIVE on YouTube

The Zoom session is only for those aged 18 years or older. If you are below the age group, please join the session LIVE on YouTube.

Register for the session

We’ve distributed 1,000 pocket guides for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)! These handy guides have helped educators across regions introduce birds to children and adults and identify birds during their bird walks for GBBC.

We now have a pocket guide for almost every region —making birding even more accessible! Want one for yourself? Get yours today on our online store!

Pocket Guides

Here are a few photos we received from educators who took children birding on GBBC :)

“We love playing dumb charades the most. We choose a bird and enact the call or convey other features so that others can guess.”
— Malesh Nadur, high school student, Chadchan Gram Panchayat Library, Vijayapura District, Karnataka

Between March & May 2024, Early Bird partnered with the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate (KPRC) to introduce nature education in 500 Gram Panchayat Libraries (Arivu Kendras). With the success of this pilot project, we expanded to all 6,000 Arivu Kendras across Karnataka in June 2024. 178 librarians across all 31 districts were trained as Master Trainers. Using the Prakruthiya Pettige resource, librarians engaged children in bird-related games, journaling, and bird monitoring. Read more about this initiative in our blog post.

Read the Blog

In December 2024, our team visited Kalburgi and met dedicated librarians making a difference. Many librarians shared how children have become more engaged, visiting more frequently and even bringing their friends along. Some libraries and homes have been turned into bird-friendly environments, inspiring the community to participate.

“Through this training, children are shifting their focus from mobile phones to observing the natural world around them. They’re exploring stories, poems, and art while learning from nature.”
— Librarian testimonial

Finally, thanks to everyone who contributed to our fundraising campaign! If you'd like to continue to contribute, please do so through our website.

Support a Rural Library

Educators’ Workshops Updates

We've been conducting both online and offline workshops, empowering educators to introduce children to birds and nature.

• Our most recent workshop was at the Kawal Bird Festival in Telangana for both educators and children. We had two interactive sessions for 60 children with games to make learning about birds fun. A separate session for around 14 educators explored interactive indoor activities, age-appropriate nature education methods, and strategies for integrating bird-related themes into the curriculum.

• Likewise, in February 2025, we had a ‘How to be a Birding Buddy’ workshop at the Jaipur Bird Festival with educators, biodiversity board members, and nature lovers, exploring fun ways to introduce children to birds! Participants received nature education kits from Early Bird, WWF-India & Green Peepal Society. To know more about the flow of these workshops, read our blog about the one in Bengaluru!

• We’ve also organised online workshops for Bhoomi Teach for Nature fellows, as part of a partnership with Wings Avian. Additional workshops for other organizations are planned in the next few months.

Would your organization like to partner with us to conduct training workshops for your facilitators/educators? Drop us a note at earlybird@ncf-india.org or WhatsApp at +91 6362355724.

Celebrating women educators this March

As International Women's Day on March 8 approaches, we celebrate the many women who have made invaluable contributions to nature education. This is a perfect opportunity to put the spotlight on women educators who have helped children develop a deeper connection with nature and birds.

Echoing this, here are a few encouraging words for you from our women educators, featured on the Meet an Educator blog.

“Children need active, sensory, lived experiences with nature, not just for their own health but to develop empathy, which they can extend into their interactions and responses to nonhuman life.” – Shonali Chenzira

“I spend a lot of time in Changlangshu just “hanging out”... I hang out with the kids very often. And…it is these interactions that have significantly shaped my understanding of children’s perspectives, needs, and lived experiences in Changlangshu. The children that are supposedly our learners, are the ones who teach me their language, tell me about the things they enjoy and like, and share their joys of rolling around under the sun among the trees and flowers. – Nayantara Siruguri

“People, especially children, are always hungry to learn more, and it’s our responsibility to nourish that curiosity with meaningful, engaging knowledge. Whether it’s through hands-on experiences, stories about wildlife, or guiding them in outdoor exploration, we hold the key to opening their minds to the wonders of nature.” – Esha Munshi

To let their imagination take flight. To simply be in awe. To be curious. To nurture a sense of wonder. To learn to ask questions. To develop a keen eye and critical thinking. To see and feel the various textures, colours, sounds, and smells that exist around. To provide fodder for their innate curiosity and creativity. To experience interacting with the surroundings. – Ovee Thorat

“Embarking on a nature education journey requires passion, patience, and perseverance. Both students and educators benefit from the continuous learning process it entails.” – Nobina Gupta

Just start, you can never be all prepared. You do not need any credentials. You only need an open mind to be curious and ask questions. Every experience with nature will give you something different. Go to the same spot and you’ll see things differently. Go with an open mind, a mindset that you are a learner, to learn along with the children. – Sabina Fathima

Thank you and keep inspiring us!