Challenges

Birding and eBird challenges

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While some of our resident species are in their last phase of breeding (feeding their young), the juveniles of other birds such as Pied Bushchats, Black Drongos and White-eyed Buzzards have already transitioned being independent of their parents. August is an exciting month for bird watchers from another perspective. The winter’s first migrants start arriving! Shanks and Sandpipers are already… read more »

August 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
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June is an odd month when parts of India are still reeling in the heat and other parts see heavy rain — neither very conducive to birding. Still, you can’t keep birders away from birding! Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in June 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 1,430 (1,600)Number of lists (all… read more »

June 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
July brings the monsoon in full swing – clouds full of rain hang above, usually accompanied by thunder, lightning and strong winds. With the rains, the bare lands are transformed into lush grasslands and many species such as rain quails, bush-quails, and black & painted francolins are highly active. While some of these quails prefer grassy patches for food and… read more »

July 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
Most of India reels under the hear in the month of May, and this is typically not a month in which birders are particularly active (apart from in the mountains). Still, an impressive amount of eBirding took place this May. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in May 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders:… read more »

May 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
Bird watchers may have taken refuge in the cooler interiors of their homes during the hot month of May but a number of resident birds went about their business of breeding in the heat. In many parts of India, June can still be hot but not for long. Dark clouds will start to roll in, followed by reverberating thunder announcing… read more »

June 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
April is an interesting month for birding. Many remaining winter migrants are on their way back, and breeding activity is widespread among residents and summer visitors. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in April 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 1,746 (2,227)Number of lists (all types): 17,000 (24,000)Number of observations: 3.00 lakh (4.33 lakh)… read more »

April 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
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Have you ever seen a female Barred Buttonquail fighting with another female, to defend her mate? Have you ever seen how babblers react in the presence of a brood parasitic cuckoo? Or how males in many species provide nutrients to a female, as pre-copulatory food offerings? If such things intrigue you then this is the time of the year where… read more »

May 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
Birding activity in India usually drops from February (with the GBBC) to March, and this year was no different. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in March 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 2,227 (2,916)Number of lists (all types): 24,000 (47,800)Number of observations: 4.33 lakh (6.94 lakh) March challenge The challenge for March was… read more »

March 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
It’s April and that means breeding has started or will start very soon for many species in most parts of India. What better time to focus on recording the calls and songs that are all around us at this time of year! This month, the challenge focusses on both birding effort as well as sound recordings. In this way, let’s… read more »

April 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
February is a month of major birding activity, partly due to the Great Backyard Bird Count. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in February 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 2,916 (2,378) Number of lists (all types): 47,800 (33,600) Number of observations: 6.94 lakh (6.04 lakh) February challenge The challenge for February was to… read more »

February 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
February was very busy for Indian birders, with all the events, festivals and the GBBC. But let’s look ahead to March, and to a new monthly eBirding challenge! Birding is often a social activity, and is a great way to meet others with similar interests, make new friends and share the joy of spending time with the the birds around… read more »

March 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
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A new year and lots of new birding! Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in January 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 2,378 (2,002)Number of lists (all types): 33,600 (20,500)Number of observations: 6.04 lakh (4.07 lakh) January challenge The challenge for January was to survey at least 3 different wetlands and submit the list… read more »

January 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
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We are pleased to announce the results of the 2018 eBird Yearly Challenge. This year the challenges were a little bit harder than in 2017, but nevertheless an impressive number of birders (minus group accounts) managed to meet the various targets! Of all those who qualified by meeting the target in any particular category, one person (in bold) was chosen… read more »

2018 eBird Yearly Challenge Winners!

Challenges
The last month of the year, but the middle of the winter birding season in India — here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in December 2018 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 2,002 (1,685)Number of lists (all types): 20,500 (16,200)Number of observations: 4.07 lakh (3.31 lakh) December challenge The challenge for December was to upload… read more »

December 2018 eBirders of the month

Challenges
As we enter the main winter birding season in India, here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in November 2018 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 1,685 (1,528) Number of lists (all types): 16,200 (15,400) Number of observations: 3.31 lakh (2.81 lakh) November challenge The challenge for November was to upload at least 11 eligible each… read more »

November 2018 eBirders of the Month

Challenges