Last month’s eBirding challenge was about birding in groups, and a number of birding groups and communities stepped forward for the challenge. (Results will be declared on 11th Oct rather than the customary 6th of the month, to give groups more time to ‘share’ their lists.)
In contrast, we suspect that this month’s challenge will be largely a solitary-birder affair. That’s because it’s about spreading your birding all through the month, rather than concentrating on a few weekends alone.
The eBirding Challenge for October is to distribute your birding over the month. The target is to upload at least one list for each of at least 25 days in October. In other words, look for birds on nearly every day of the month! As in earlier monthly challenges, each list should be an effort-based, complete list, of at least 15 min duration
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Why have this kind of challenge? After all, many of us look for birds only during weekends, when we go someplace special, like a local lake or forest. However, as part of our effort to make birding an ‘always on‘ activity, we encourage birders to look for (and note down) birds at all times and places: your balcony, office, school or college; while waiting for the bus or train; just about anywhere!
The most important reason we like ‘always on’ birding is because it’s fun! Having your eyes and (importantly) your ears always alert for the sight or sound of a bird makes life that much more enjoyable. And more challenging as well — for example, can you tell your species of bulbuls, sunbirds, and crows apart just by sound? In addition to the personal enjoyment, if lists are uploaded from all manner of places and times, this enables comparisons that otherwise might not be possible. What is the birdlife of urban residential areas? What species can make a living in urban parks, but disappear where there is no green cover? How do the birds of different railway stations compare? In addition, birds are in flux this season, with lots of movement, so birding through the month can help document this!
Please upload all your lists by 5 November so that we can announce the results on 6 November. All birders who reach the 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: Pallid Scops-Owl Otus brucei © Jugal Tiwari/ Macaulay Library/ IBC
Taking up the challenge