August 2022 eBirding Challenge

There is no one reason why birds fascinate us and one of them is the way they behave. This month’s challenge entails spending more time in the field to observe and note various behaviours!

The challenge for August is to upload 20 or more eligible* lists containing at least one species with comments on its behaviour. In addition to this, any 10 lists among the 20 should have at least one breeding code. (F-Flyover and H-In Appropriate Habitat are not included in the challenge).

To know when to use which breeding code, do watch this webinar recording.

Or refer to the following articles:

eBird Breeding and Behavior Codes

Understanding Breeding Codes (Courtesy New York Breeding Atlas)

Watch out for signs of breeding- including active nests and recently fledged young and add it to your lists. To do this in the eBird Mobile  App, tap the species name, tap on ‘Add breeding code‘, and select the appropriate purple circle that is closest to your observation (see the example below).

* Eligible checklists are those that report all species seen/heard (and are therefore marked ‘complete’), report numbers for all species rather than Xs, and are of at least 15 minutes or longer in duration.

While observing/documenting breeding birds please follow these practices: maintain a suitable distance; don’t use playback; don’t trample habitats where birds are likely to nest. If you fear that others may notice your observations and disturb the birds you have seen nesting, you can delay adding your comments or photographs for a few weeks. Please follow the basic principles of birding ethics, including in photography.

Please upload all your lists by 10 September 2022 so that we can announce the results soon after that.

Here are the general rules of our monthly challenges. And check out the yearlong challenges for 2021 as well! You can keep track of fresh lists coming in from India on this page.

Header Image: Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus © Raghavendra Pai/ Macaulay Library