Birdwatchers in India will come together on February 14-17 to document as many birds as possible across the country’s diverse locations.
Last year, in the global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), more than 5,000 birders participated from India. The country ranked second-highest in terms of submitting bird lists (58,276 checklists) and was third for number of reported species, closely following Colombia and Ecuador.
Over 1,036 species were documented, representing 75 percent of all known bird species in the country.
Among the most frequently observed birds in India were the Himalayan Bulbul in the Himalayas, Feral Pigeon in the north, Red-vented Bulbul in the western, eastern and central regions, House Crow in the south and Red-whiskered Bulbul in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. GBBC became a vital citizen science initiative, providing crucial data about bird populations across India, a press release stated today. Birdwatchers from each and every state and Union territory participated. Thanks to the participation of more than 5,000 people, last year many birds were reported from new regions for the first time and organisers expect the same enthusiasm this year.
This year, during GBBC, over 500 local birdwatching walks and talks have been planned from 30-plus states and territories for the public to join in.
Dr Sumiti Saharan, a neuroscientist and passionate birdwatcher from Chandigarh, said, “GBBC has all the components of a good bird-a-thon. Excitement, challenge, competition, love for the sport and joy. It is perhaps the only time where the only spectators are the participants themselves (and perchance that birds we watch). The ever rising participation in GBBC is a testimony to the sheer love of birding. It is beautiful to realise that people from all walks of life, siloed otherwise by geography, language and much else, all come together for their one shared love of birds. And in doing so, they make one of the biggest global events of participatory science, one that has helped us know, understand and support our avian friends.”
Participants are encouraged to list all bird species seen at a particular location over a period of 15 minutes or more, at any time during the four days, and upload the list to the bird recording platform eBird. This can be repeated as often as possible.
Along with GBBC, campuses across India also take part in the sister event ‘Campus Bird Count’, aimed at monitoring bird populations in educational and institutional campuses. Outside protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, these institutions are becoming increasingly vital habitats for our wildlife.
Shubham Moharekar, a student from Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune, said, “The Campus Bird Count conducted by Arjit Jere was an incredible experience! It introduced me to apps like the Merlin Bird ID and eBird, which I had no idea existed before. These platforms have really enhanced my birdwatching and reignited my passion for it. The event was a great opportunity to learn and connect with others who share the same interest.”
The global GBBC is organised by Cornell University and the Audubon Society in the USA. GBBC in India is coordinated by Bird Count India, an umbrella group of 50-plus birding, nature and conservation organisations and groups.
