Challenges

Birding and eBird challenges

While the country is under lockdown, what better way to turn this into a positive contribution than to record the birds around your home? Do you see species you haven’t recorded before? Which species are found where in your city? What is the behaviour of the birds you see? You can contribute to answering these questions and more through the… read more »

Lockdown Birding Challenge

Challenges
If it’s February, then it’s the Great Backyard Bird Count that’s occupying everyone’s minds. The GBBC usually results in a spike in birding, and this year was no different. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in February 2020 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 3,405 (2,776)Number of lists (all types): 51,800 (30,000)Number of observations: 7.62… read more »

February 2020 eBirders of the Month

Challenges
1
We begin the year with a bang! The combination of the new year and the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) meant a jump in eBirding in India. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in January 2020 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 2,776 (2,220)Number of lists (all types): 30,000 (20,300)Number of observations: 6.04 lakh (3.89 lakh)… read more »

January 2020 eBirders of the month

Challenges
Phew! That was a lot of birding in February and we hope you enjoyed it, especially the Great Backyard Bird Count! Please remember to finish uploading all your GBBC / CBC lists by 1 March. Being a transitional period between winter and spring/summer,  March is an interesting time of the year to examine the sequence in which winter migrants leave… read more »

March 2020 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
The year 2020 started with much enthusiasm with bird watchers volunteering for the Asian Wetland Census! This enthusiasm continues in February as birders will take part in one of the largest birding events in India- the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This year the GBBC will be held between 14-17 February. This event offers a great opportunity to bring birders… read more »

February 2020 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
The last month of the year is usually a heavily birded one, and this year is no different. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in December 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 2,220 (2,068)Number of lists (all types): 20,300 (19,300)Number of observations: 3.89 lakh (3.54 lakh) December challenge The challenge for December was to… read more »

December 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
2020 is just around the corner! January starts with a bang, with a boatload of birding. See here to know about the various birding related events happening across the country. Just like every year, this month is dedicated to the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC). Since 1987, birders have been going out to wetlands of all types across the country (and… read more »

January 2020 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
With the winter season hotting up (cooling down?), more and more birders are out and about. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in November 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 2,068 (1,924)Number of lists (all types): 19,300 (17,500)Number of observations: 3.54 lakh (2.94 lakh) November challenge The challenge for November was to upload at… read more »

November 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
October has been a busy month for bird watchers across the globe. From national events like Wildlife Week and Wild Bird Day, this month also saw global campaigns like Global Bird Rescue and World Migratory Bird Day. With this month and its eBirding challenge coming to an end, it is time to announce November’s challenge. Birders are spending more time… read more »

November 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
2
Many winter migrants start arriving in September, and there is corresponding increase in birding in the country — an interesting commentary on the behaviour of birdwatchers! Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in September 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 1,520 (1,317)Number of lists (all types): 14,600 (11,800)Number of observations: 2.23 lakh (1.66 lakh)… read more »

September 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
1
October is an exciting month for birders. Apart from general migration picking up,  a large number of young birds will be on their first migratory journey. Young (first year) birds can often be told apart from adults by their distinctive appearances; have you been seeing any?  Winter migrants are now being reported from almost every corner of India. Whether you stay… read more »

October 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
August is still a rainy month in many places in India, and even through some early migrants have started appearing, we still don’t see the uptick in birding that comes with winter. Our appreciation for the birders who are out and about in this season — your documentation of birds is very valuable! Here is the breakup of eBirding in… read more »

August 2019 eBirders of the Month

Challenges
The challenge for August was to explore new hotspots where you have never birded before. We hope you enjoyed this challenge and had some adventures! We would love to hear them: do send your stories (between 500- 1000 words) to skimmer@birdcount.in Given the harsh summer this year followed by torrential rains, birding activity has been generally low in most parts… read more »

September 2019 eBirding Challenge

Challenges
July brings rain to most parts of India. This year, the rains have been particularly severe, with floods in several places. No wonder birding is at a bit of a lull this month. Here is the breakup of eBirding in the country in July 2019 (with previous month in brackets): Number of birders: 1,320 (1,430)Number of lists (all types): 11,600… read more »

July 2019 eBirders of the month

Challenges
5
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
1
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