Gen Z birdwatchers find their flock in KL parks

The Star

2 days ago

Community initiative connects youths with nature and each other
ON a quiet Saturday morning at Taman Botani Perdana in Jalan Kebun Bunga, Kuala Lumpur, a small hushed group of young people had their eyes fixed on a canopy overhead.
A flash of yellow was seen and a melodic whistle heard.
Then, one of the youths pointed excitedly to a feathered visitor that had come into view and produced the sound.
The group leaned in, binoculars and cameras at the ready.
In the distance, a black-naped oriole called, brightening the otherwise muted cityscape.
Other birds the group spotted that day were white-throated kingfisher, brahminy kite, oriental magpie-robin and white-breasted waterhen.
This is the world of Jejakliar, a community birdwatching initiative led by Malaysian Gen Zers who are redefining how urban youth interact with nature.
Aidil Iman Aidid, 26, who studied international relations with a minor in environmental studies at Universiti Malaya (UM), never thought birdwatching would become a passion, let alone spark a movement.
'I was looking for a hobby, something communal yet solitary.
'I picked up a book about birds at UM library, learned about the different species around the campus and fell in love with the hobby,' he said.
What began as a solitary escape in UM's urban parks and other green spaces such as KLCC Park and Taman Rimba Kiara in the capital city evolved into a community-building effort.
When tasked with a community project, Aidil decided to connect other Gen Zers in the Klang Valley to urban biodiversity through birdwatching.
'Birds are the most visible and audible wildlife in cities.
'I wanted us to reconnect with the urban environment,' Aidil added.
The grassroots initiative, which began on May 25 last year, runs primarily on Instagram, where it recruits and engages participants.
Over the past year, it has organised more than 10 birdwatching excursions, with each outing always near public transport to ensure accessibility.
Among those drawn to the group is Nur Adriana Sofea Shahril, 23, an undergraduate studying ecology and biodiversity from UM.
After joining the group, Aidil invited Adriana to volunteer as a guide.
Adriana, who studied urban bird biodiversity for her final-year project, sees this initiative as a perfect blend of research and community outreach.
The excursions attract a vibrant mix of young Malaysians.
Pravena Sreetharan, 25, a law graduate completing her pupillage, joined the group after meeting Aidil through Kolektif Iklim, a youth climate initiative.
'I've always been interested in environmental law.
'Birdwatching is therapeutic for me and also a good lesson in patience,' Pravena said.
'Before this, I was very high-strung. Standing still, observing and being present; it changed me.'
Maria Nash, a marketing student from Shah Alam, learned about Jejakliar through social media.
'It's my first-time birdwatching,' she shared.
'I love how walking around Taman Botani Perdana feels like a workout without actually feeling like exercise.
'I'm making new friends and learning so much.'
The group's diversity is striking – from biodiversity students to law graduates and swimming instructors.
Lim Wen Kai, 22, a biosciences student at UM, said birdwatching enriched his academic learning.
'Birds are everywhere and essential for sustaining urban ecology,' he said.
'It's one thing to read about them in textbooks, but seeing them in real life is a pleasure.'
For Jebamanoh Johnson, 24, a zoology graduate, birdwatching helped him shift focus from the big picture to the small details.
'Many people walk around the park without noticing the birds,' he said.
'When I joined Jejakliar, it changed how I pay attention to the world.'
Hazeeq Syahme, 28, another law graduate, believes birdwatching helps bust the stereotype of Gen Zers being glued to their screens.
'This builds a sense of community,' he said.
Aidil said members of the group even shared their sightings digitally via WhatsApp and bird identification mobile apps.
Noting that bird books could be expensive, he said they balanced book knowledge with real-world exploration.
Far from being isolated or distracted, the young birdwatchers find themselves more connected to nature and to one another.
Now, Aidil said he started a separate KL Youth Birdwatch excursion, which takes place twice a month.
'People think Gen Z individuals aren't curious or eager to learn,' said Pravena.
'That is a misconception. We have an interest in learning.
'When we see a bird we can't identify, we do our research until we know what it is.'
For many, the Covid-19 pandemic deepened their appreciation for birds.
Adriana recalled being stuck at home, where her only solace was the veranda near an urban forest.
'Birdwatching saved me,' she said.
Beyond personal well-being, she said birdwatching, which she described as healing, also sparks creativity.
Adriana, who loves design, sees nature as inspiration.
'We can learn so much from birds, their mechanisms.
'The woodpecker's long tongue, for example, and the trees they perch on.'
On the surface, a group of 20-somethings gathering to look at birds might seem unusual, even quaint.
But their movement represents something deeper: a quiet resistance to the isolating, screen-heavy modern world.
'We always encourage participants to bring friends,' Aidil added.
Last month, he said, 10 strangers joined the group and they became friends by the end of the day.
In a society where loneliness cuts across generations, Jejakliar offers a rare chance to slow down and truly see, not just the birds, but each other.
As the group packed up their gear after another successful morning, there was an undeniable sense of optimism in the air.