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 together and to introduce non-birders to this wonderful hobby! There is also the Campus Bird Count (CBC), a sub-event that runs along with the GBBC on the same dates. Multiple campuses across India participate in the CBC to document the birdlife in their area.
Keeping these events in mind, this month’s challenge involves uploading at least 40 eligible lists. The 40 lists are divided such that at least 20 should be from the four days of the GBBC and at least another 20 in the remaining twenty-five days of the month.
Note: 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.
The results of the February monthly challenge will be announced soon after 10 March 2020, so please submit all your checklists before this date.
Here are the general rules of our monthly challenges. Do have a look at India’s yearlong challenges for 2020 as well! You can keep track of fresh lists coming in from India on this page.
For the more adventurous birders, there is a list of personal challenges for 2020 and also the global eBirder of the month challenge!
Important. if you are new to eBird, please read this description first, and do take a look at our quick-start infographic and also the more comprehensive Beginner’s Guide.
The eBird mobile app is one of the easiest ways to upload your sightings. Here is a video to help you learn how to submit a checklist through the app.
Banner image: Grandala Grandala coelicolor by Albin Jacob/Macaulay Library, from this checklist.
