Our boat set off to Sonadia Island when the raising tide approached, waterbirds were settling down on their roosts along the seashores. We go to this island every month during winter but that trip in December 2015 was different since naturalist couple Enam Ul Haque and Majeda Haq accompanied us. In a few minutes we landed on Tajiakata - a mudflat of Sonadia Island, Cox's Bazar and began to count waterbirds.

Amongst a flock of Brown-headed Gulls, we spotted a Slender-billed Gull that was discovered as a new species for Bangladesh only a year ago. Majeda Apa was extremely delighted to see photograph of this rare bird of Bangladesh and said with joy "Sayam, thank you very much for this wonderful sighting, have you noticed the dark red bill of the gull?". This is the memory of her that I would cherish for a long time.

I write these lines with profound sadness that Majeda Haq is no longer with us. She suffered from lymphocytic cancer and departed from the world on the morning of 6th June 2019. I think no words can ever erase the pain of such loss.

Majeda Haq was the General Secretary of Bangladesh bird club in 2010 and since then she had supported our club from every capacity she had. She had inspired all of us who work on bird conservation and personally supported many. She was devoted to support and promote young women in nature conservation. Her philanthropic work went beyond the periphery of Bangladesh bird club. Her passing leaves us with a sad void, but her legacy of supporting others shall stay on to guide us towards a better future.

May the Almighty rest her soul in Eternal peace.