Taking first steps in birdwatching

It's not easy for some people to understand the appeal of birdwatching: spending hours in the cold wind by the water waiting for gulls to arrive, or sitting by a small pond for a whole morning hoping for a vivid glimpse of a kingfisher.

Of course, birdwatching is nothing like having pets or visiting a zoo. For many people the emotional attachment is more a homage to nature and respect for its spirit.

Birds have always fascinated, their often exotic appearance and the magic of flight making them the subject of many myths and tales.

And birdwatching is reported to be one of the fastest growing outdoor activities around the world. It can be a recreational pursuit for people of all ages to enjoy together or a solitary pastime to calm the mind and embrace nature.

The satisfaction comes from observing wild birds in their natural habitat, as well as fulfilling the hunting instincts humans possess without harming any creatures. Serious birders — professional and amateur alike — invest considerable time, money and energy observing and listing birds.

Shi Minliang is a devoted birder from Shanghai with five years' experience who has been spotting and documenting birds at Wusongkou Paotaiwan Wetland Park in Baoshan District since 2011.

"Actually, it all started with sparrows," he said. "I never gave up the dream that one day I would see a sparrow walk!"

It all sounds a little ridiculous, and Shi explains that sparrows — according to science — only hop, before telling a story from his childhood.

"I heard a lot of tales about sparrows, how they ended up not being able to walk because they were punished by the Jade Emperor for stealing grain," he says.

"Then the grandma of a childhood friend told us that whoever sees a sparrow walking will have good things happen to them."