The Traveler

Oh! I am so tired. Just returned from a long journey……900 kms……16 hours in the train…….puff- travelling can be so exhausting! We human beings find travelling tiring in spite of the hi-tech modes of transport that we use. Have we ever given a thought to how the other species ‘travel’?

Travel ? Yes, they definitely do. It is called ‘migration’. When the weather at home becomes harsh, animals and birds migrate to other regions where the weather is more comfortable. This is especially true for species living in the arctic region. The arctic winters are too cold for them. So they travel south in winter.

One such species is a bird called the Little Stint. This bird breeds in northern Europe and Russia, in July and August. In autumn, it starts migrating southwards. It spends its winters in the warmer countries of Africa, Asia, and the Indian Sub-continent. In April-May, it flies back home for the next breeding season.

Every year, the little stint flies a total distance of about 12000 kms! Hmmm……requires great deal of endurance, doesn’t it? Must be a really strong bird! But do you know why it is called the ‘Little’ Stint? Because it is only 13 cms long with outstretched wingspan of 36 cms  and weighs only 24  gms.

Then what is the secret behind its strength? Well, these birds, though small, have a lot of fat reserves in their body. If the energy supplied by food is completely utilized, their body burns these fats to obtain energy. And, they also take enough rest during their journey. They land, rest and feed in muddy areas at regular intervals of time.

Habitats of the little Stint in different seasons

Further reading: 

1. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3045

2. http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=1254

3. http://www.oceanwanderers.com/LtStint.html

Introduction

Introduction

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

"LEISURE"

By William Henry Davies.

As a child, I enjoyed being surrounded by nature. I loved visiting my native place in Konkan, where our house was in the midst of the forest. I would roam through the woods for hours together, plucking fruits and flowers, playing in the mud, and drinking the pristine water from the spring. Even back home in Mumbai, I loved the smell of the wet mud after the first shower, or simply standing by the sea shore listening to the swish-shwoosh of the waves.

But as I grew up, these likings took a back seat in the rat race called life. Realities became the priorities. Although I pursued my higher studies in Microbiology, Environmental Sciences and Education, unfortunately, I never had the time to stand and stare.

Once I got set in my professional life, I started finding time for my creative pursuits. Now I teach Biology to IGCSE and AS and A level students. AND I make it a point to follow my passion for nature. I take part in the nature trails and other activities conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society. And I feel ENRICHED.

After taking up this beautiful hobby, I discovered the vastness of nature. Nature is like god’s treasure, with magnificent jewels. Nature’s bounty is full of variety. The more you look, the more you find….each animal, bird, insect, plant or micro-organism with its own peculiarities! The world is full of marvelous forms of life….many of them that will stretch our limits of imagination! This blog is an attempt to bring to you amazing facts about living beings with whom we share our unique planet………