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Stories about songs: A session aims to bring children closer to birds

Among the devices that the children will see — many for the first time – is the shotgun microphone that, like binoculars for sounds, can pick up a bird call from a definite direction while cancelling out background noise.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Nov 13, 2025 10:48 PM IST

Siddharth Biniwale, a Pune-based naturalist and researcher, says when people go out on birding, they are mostly looking for interesting photographs. (Express Photo)

What do birds think about when they sing? Siddharth Biniwale, a Pune-based naturalist and researcher, who specialises in avian ecology and forest restoration, says, “A bird starts communicating right from the beginning, when they are embryos in eggs. There are heartbeats that inform the parent that hatching the egg is, for instance, one side is warm enough and they need to change the position of the egg.”

Since November is Young Birder’s Month, a nationwide event to encourage curiosity and ecological awareness among children through the fascinating world of birds, Biniwale will lead an event, “Birdsong Explorers” at the Empress Botanical Garden on Sunday. It is an excuse to extend Children’s Day celebrations, especially as winter migratory birds have arrived at the garden. The young group will spend a morning of listening and questioning. They will discover the meaning of bird calls and check out some cool tech that Biniwale uses for his own practice of studying birds.

Biniwale adds that, when people go out on birding, they are mostly looking for interesting photographs. “We appreciate visual cues but, earlier, humans used other senses, such as touch, smell and sound, to understand their surroundings. I hope to make this a science-based fun activity where children can learn to listen. The first part of the session is a bird walk, where we will go around and not just watching birds but also listening to them,” he says. There would be grey hornbills, the common myna and the blue flycatcher, among others.

Among the devices that the children will see — many for the first time – is the shotgun microphone that, like binoculars for sounds, can pick up a bird call from a definite direction while cancelling out background noise. There will be hands-on recording sessions, and a bit of the behavioural aspect of sound, such is the sound an alarm call or a feeding song? A quiz, with multiple choice questions, is on the cards which will include understanding how one can visualize the sound.

The children will be offered an audio experience of different spaces, city, village and forest, by their sounds. And there will be stories. Biniwale, an engaging storyteller, is beginning a YouTube channel, Raan Goshti, to share jungle stories. The children at the walk will be treated to stories, similar to that about a fellow birder who has recorded a Black Drongo that had learned to mimic the alarm call of the Red-Wattled Lapwing. “My fellow birder had observed that, whenever there was a dog passing, the drongo made a sound of a lapwing and the dog used to run away,” says Biniwale. A conversation with him is packed with such fascinating stories. “As a child, I was attracted to calls and I want to pass on the same hobby to children,” he adds.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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