The challenge in March was to revisit winter locations and see what changes have occurred over a period of a couple of months. This month, we’d like to change things a bit and see what species you can record over a period of a month at your favourite patch. As temperatures soar across several parts of the country, you might just like to sit down in the shade and count some birds – you can do this month’s challenge without moving!
The challenge this month is to upload at least 15 no-X, complete and stationary 15-minute duration checklists from a single location over 15 different days.
By looking regularly for birds at a single location, we better understand how regularly or irregularly particular species are seen at the same location, and how their occurrence and numbers change over the seasons. We also get into the habit of being on a constant lookout for birds and so tend to notice much more of what is around us. We encourage entering counts (careful estimation or precise counts) as opposed to entering an ‘X’.
If you are able to explore several birding spots during the month, please do! But at the same time, do try and do regular 15-minute lists through the month at your home, office, campus, or any location you regularly visit.
Why 15 minutes and stationary? A standardized protocol makes it easier to understand and compare data across various regions in a fair manner. Just as it would be unfair to compare lists from a location where one has walked 1 km over an hour as opposed to lists where one is stationary for 30 minutes.
Examples of accumulating species counts with repeated surveys at a single location
In the past, we have seen the kind of data that can be generated through such a coordinated effort. So, do go out, look around for 15 minutes and upload your complete checklists!
Do note that unlike in previous challenges, eligible lists for the April challenge must use the stationery protocol, and must be for exactly 15 minutes.
Please upload all your lists by 5 May so that we can announce the results the next day.
Here are the general rules of our monthly challenges. And check out the yearlong challenges as well! You can keep track of fresh lists coming in from India at this page.
Important. if you are new to eBird, please read this description first, and do take a look at the Beginner’s Guide.
Header Image: Spotted Laughingthrush Ianthocincla ocellata © James Eaton/ Macaulay Library
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