I Think I’ve Just Become A Birder!

 

Lately, I've been watching some wonderful birding videos, and somewhere along the way, I became rather fascinated by this whole world of birding.

Birding is basically the hobby of observing, identifying, photographing and learning about birds in the wild. And the more I watch and learn, the more I realise what a wonderful way it is to appreciate and marvel at Allah's creation.

Think about it. Birds are everywhere, yet how often do we actually stop to look at them?

Their colours, calls, behaviour, how they fly, where they live… Once you start paying attention, an ordinary walk suddenly becomes a little adventure.

So, on 11 September 2026, I officially declared myself a birder! 😂 No ceremony. No membership card. I just decided: Okay, I'm a birder now.

My first move was to download Merlin Bird ID, a wonderful app that helps identify birds from photographs and even their calls.

And that's when I discovered something rather amusing. I already had eight lifers.

A lifer is a bird species you've encountered for the first time. Except most of mine weren't from actual birding trips. They were sitting in my old photo archives!

Apparently, I've been an accidental birder for years. 😂

Among my eight lifers so far are:

Grey Heron — spotted at Regent's Park, London. A magnificent, long-legged grey wader with a long pointed bill. Very elegant… and apparently quite happy to pose for photographers.

Eurasian Moorhen — also at Regent's Park, hiding in the background of my Grey Heron photo. A dark waterbird with a distinctive red-and-yellow bill.

Eurasian Coot — photographed at Hampstead Heath. Easily recognised by its dark body and striking white bill and forehead shield.

European Herring Gull — spotted at Brighton Pier. One of those familiar seaside birds that you suddenly appreciate differently once you start looking properly.

Painted Stork — spotted at Lake Valley, Cheras. A magnificent Malaysian wader with striking black-and-white wings, long legs and that unmistakable pinkish colouration.

Five down, three more to reveal. 😁

Of course, now that I've declared myself a birder, there's equipment to think about.

I've dusted off my old Canon DSLR, I've got Merlin on my phone, and a pair of 8×42 binoculars is next on the shopping list. I'll also start using eBird to keep a proper record of my sightings.

But I think the most important thing is simply to go outside and look.

Learn the common birds first. Learn their calls. Notice their behaviour. And perhaps one day I'll hear a bird somewhere and think: “Wait… I know that one!” 😁

And then there's the bigger plan.

2027: My Big Year

Insya Allah, 2027 will be my Big Year — my personal birding adventure to see and record as many different species as I can during the year.

I don't know yet how many I'll find. But that's the fun of it.

11 September 2026 was Day One.

Eight lifers are already on the board.

The camera is ready. Merlin is downloaded. Binoculars are coming.

And somewhere out there are hundreds of birds I've never properly seen, identified or appreciated.

A new hobby. A new adventure.

And, Insya Allah, another way to stop, look around and marvel at Allah's creation.