As the lists from September continue to come in, and we await the results of the September Challenge, it’s time to announce the eBirding Challenge for October 2014.
The October Challenge is similar to that from July this year, but with a higher target. Last July, the challenge was to upload at least 10 complete lists, together accounting for a total of at least 10 birding hours.
This month, the target is 15 complete lists, accounting for a total of at least 15 hours of birding. As before, each list should be an effort-based, complete list, of at least 15 min in duration
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How can one strategize this? On average, half an hour every day would give 15 hours in total over the month. If each of us can budget two 15-min lists each day, we’d easily get to the target. Remember that these lists can be from anywhere — home, campus, garden, park, wetland, forest, and so on. Or if you can only squeeze in a single list each working day, perhaps you can make up over the weekend.
If you have a chance to travel, do take a look at where the birding gaps are, and try to bird in districts for which little information is available. These gaps are particularly large if one looks at seasonal availability of information. And, of course, please record any signs of breeding under Add Details–Breeding Code; and embed photo, audio and video files to make your lists richer and more memorable.
While out and about, please remember to faithfully record the time you spend looking for birds: the correct durations are important not only for the integrity of the Challenge, but also for the scientific utility of the information you upload.
Please upload all your October lists by 5 November so that we can announce the results on 6 November. All birders who reach this target will be named and recognized on this website. One of these names will be chosen at random to receive a small birding-related gift in appreciation.
Here are the general rules of our monthly challenges. You can keep track of fresh lists coming in from India at this page.
Important. if you are new to eBird, please read this description first, and do take a look at the Beginner’s Guide.
Header Image: Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus © Vijaya Lakshmi/ Macaulay Library
