Ultramarine Flycatcher: Feathered Friend on an Urban Campus

“Ping!” my phone went, sounding a notification. “Saw the ultramarine flycatcher on the campus again this year”, the sender said, bringing back memories of the previous year’s unforgettable sighting. It was a fine January morning in 2023 when a bunch of us members of the Fergusson College Nature Club were on a nature trail on campus, and birding enthusiast Aditya spotted the rare bird for the first time. I remember that moment clearly. I didn’t know much about birdwatching back then, but the seniors were passionate and patient, always eager to share their knowledge with the rest of us.

Surrounded by the bustling city, Fergusson College is in the heart of Pune. It is spread over about 65 acres and has a mix of habitats from open scrub and bamboo to dense tree cover. Birdwatching takes place across the campus, but the hill at the edge of the campus has the most variety of bird species.

As Aditya pointed to the striking bird with its blue feathers glowing in the morning light (only the male is blue), we all gasped in amazement and excitement rippled through our group. Immediately, discussions began about the bird. Who knew this spotting would give birth to a new ritual? Every year since, we eagerly await the ultramarine flycatcher’s return. Seeing the stunning bird among the trees has become a thrilling moment we look forward to, bringing us together. In the two years since then, we have scanned every familiar branch during the Campus Bird Count, hoping to spot it again. The Campus Bird Count is part of the Great Backyard Bird Count, which aims to record birds found on campuses across India. Some of the highlights from previous years were migratory birds such as the chestnut-tailed starling, booted eagle, black redstart, and greenish warbler. 

The ultramarine flycatcher (Ficedula superciliaris) is found across India, the montane forests of northern Myanmar, northwest Thailand, and adjacent southern Yunnan, China. In India, it breeds in the Himalayas (ranging from Jammu and Kashmir to Uttarakhand) from mid-April to early July and migrates to Central India and the eastern parts of the country between August and October. During its migratory season, it is often seen in forest reserves, wooded areas, and even urban parks, where it flits between branches in search of insects.

With the arrival of the ultramarine flycatcher, the FC Nature Club is enthused with new energy. The flycatcher quickly becomes the topic of countless discussions, and soon, even non-birders acknowledge its presence. “Did you see the ultramarine flycatcher?” is a common refrain, creating a shared excitement. This small, resilient bird represents more than just another species for the nature club’s members. It’s as if this tiny bird has become woven into the fabric of college life. 

For the birding community on campus, the flycatcher isn’t just a seasonal visitor. It represents something more enduring — an emerging tradition that binds each batch of students with the next. Seniors share stories of their first sightings, each vivid and detailed. For the juniors, seeing the flycatcher for the first time is almost a rite of passage and something to look forward to and share with the next batch of students. This small bird has become a bridge between birders, a common thread that connects us.

I often think about how strange it is that a little bird, wild and free, could play an important role in our urban college experience. Yet, here it is, returning faithfully to the same trees three years in a row, perching on the same branches and reminding us of the continuity of life. In a way, the ultramarine flycatcher has become a symbol of persistence. No matter how hectic things get — exams, projects, personal struggles — we now know we have the reassuring presence of the bird to look forward to.

 

Of course, the story of the ultramarine flycatcher is not just about tradition or excitement; it’s also a story of how it has pushed us students to think about conservation. The FC Nature Club organises many activities such as public nature trails, research paper discussions, guest talks, and informal discussions with people from conservation circles. We discuss the importance of preserving habitats, raising awareness about the challenges various taxa face, and engage fellow students in conservation efforts. All this ensures that our little blue visitor — and all the other migratory birds — continue to have a safe haven on campus.

As I stand on the cusp of leaving this college that has been my sanctuary for the past few years, I am filled with profound nostalgia and gratitude. Embarking on a new chapter beyond these familiar grounds, I find comfort in knowing that the ultramarine flycatcher will continue its journey, returning to this haven year after year, lifting the spirits of the future students. New batches of students will look up into the same trees, spot that radiant, white-browed bird, and feel the same joy and wonder I did. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll return one day to catch a glimpse of that familiar flash of blue in the trees, a symbol of hope and continuity that connects us all.