I love watching and feeding birds, so 8 years ago, in an empty lot in front of my house where there were few trees and green grass, I started putting some rice seeds on few stone pavers and a small water bath. This small gesture started a long journey.

It started with few parrots that would come every evening. There were cats around, so they were very watchful. I decided to make a platform on a pillar, so the birds could feed in peace and as time progressed I added few more water baths and feeders in the trees. I started putting out seeds in the morning and evening.

Soon a big flock of parrots would show up on time, sitting on the Amrood and Aam trees and after I spread the seeds and moved out of the lot, they would one by one come down to the platform and finish off every dana.

After couple of years more and more birds started showing up. Parrots were followed by Pigeons, then family of patridges ( teetar), bulbul, occasionally Kingfisher, cuckoo,  dove, crow pheasant or bhardvaj pakshi and few more species 

Then as the flowers of gudhal bloomed,  hummingbirds started to show up. It is interesting to note that  crow pheasant do not eat the rice grain, but when the other birds are feeding, they feel safe to eat insects alongside in the grass.

It has been 8 years that I put out rice every morning and evening, and for 1/2 hour after that my house is surrounded by lively birds and their calls. Nature at its best!

I buy rice from Mahaveer Store Fatehpura and once they realized I am feeding birds they make sure to load the katta themselves in my car and have not raised the cost of grain for me. Its all about joining hands and even a small step can help preserve our environment all around us.