Asian Waterbird Census

The dates for 2024 Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is 6 January –21 January

The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) takes place every January. This citizen-science event is a part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC) that supports the conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.https://www.wetlands.org/our-approach/healthy-wetland-nature/international-waterbird-census/

By using eBird and filling out an additional site form, one can take part in this multi-country effort to document the state of our wetlands and waterbirds. To take part you simply visit a wetland and count the birds you see there.  Although the recommended dates for the AWC are 6 – 21 January 2024, counts from any dates in January and February are welcomed.

WHEN

Jan to Feb 2024

WHERE

Anywhere in the country

HOW

There are three different ways to submit your counts. You can see details of all of them in the announcement for the 2024 census (scroll down to where it says “Counting in India”).

Here we discuss only one of these three options: the eBird plus Wetland Assessment Form. The main points are given below:

1. Choose a wetland and survey it, listing and counting all species you see. You are asked to survey each site in as complete a manner as possible, keeping track of total counts of species, while avoiding possible double-counting.
2. Upload your list and counts from the wetland to eBird in the normal way.
3.  Once your count from the site has been uploaded, share this checklist with the AWC eBird account with username: awcindia and make a note of the link (URL) for the eBird list, which looks like this:
   https://ebird.org/checklist/S26550997
4. Share your checklists with the eBird username: awcindia and also with those accompanying you.(see video here).
5. The AWC asks for some extra information in addition to the counts of birds. This extra information should be uploaded through the AWC India eBird 2024 Wetland Assessment Form. While filling out this form, the most crucial piece of information is the link (URL) to your eBird list/count for that wetland. Additional information asked for are: basic information on the wetland, visit conditions, wetland characteristics, main uses and threats to the wetland. KML file of the route taken may be submitted by email to [email protected].
6. That is all that’s needed: for each wetland covered, upload your counts to eBird and then fill out the AWC India eBird 2024 Wetland Assessment Form (linked above). This combination is eBird+AWC might be new to you so if you have any questions, please do ask!

Note all the birds you see and hear, and count the numbers of each species. Upload your sightings to eBird. (It’s easiest if you use the eBird mobile app while you’re birding. If you are new to using the eBird, then please watch these videos.

• Downloading and installing the eBird app
• Submitting your sightings using the eBird app
• See eBird’s help articles & webinar on counting birds: Bird Counting 101 and Bird Counting 201
• Adding photographs to your eBird checklist

We encourage you to share your messages about the counts through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linked In, etc.) and to use the following hashtags:
#waterbirdscount
#AWC
#AsianWaterbirdCensus
#InternationalWaterbirdCensus
#waterbirds
#wetlands

Header Image: A Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons amongst a flock of Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus by Abhijith A. P. C/ Macualay Library