Dear birding friends,
A quick note to ask whether you might be interested in joining us in a fun
birding event on 14-18 Feb. On those dates, birders across the world will
be taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count (www.birdcount.org), run by
Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology.
The basic idea is to spend some time (minimum of 15 min) listing all the
birds species you see, together with a rough count of each. Despite the
name of the event, one can participate from anywhere — from a balcony or
rooftop or garden, to a market or farm or wetland or forest. And it doesn’t
matter if you can’t identify every single species — what you can identify
is good enough!
A few of us in different parts of India have decided to take part this
year. Some of us will also be taking the opportunity to organise small
events at local parks or lakes for the public, including children, to take
part in the count and learn more about birds.
If you are interested in joining in from wherever you are (it will only
take 15 min of your time!), that would be wonderful. This will be a
informal gathering of birders across India, getting together for the joy of
birds.
While you are welcome to participate independently, it would be wonderful
if you could join the following google group:
http://groups.google.com/group/birdcountindia
This temporary group has been created so that we can keep each other
informed of our plans, as well share what we see with fellow birders during
the days of the Count.
But, of course, you don’t need to join this group to participate. Details
are below.
Do drop me a line if you plan to do the count. And please forward this to
anyone else who you think would enjoy taking part. Beginning birders are as
welcome as seasoned hands!
Best wishes,
Bird Counters in India
Instructions for the count:
www.birdsource.org/gbbc/2013%20GBBC%20Instructions.pdf
See also www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
In brief:
Go to www.ebird.org and create an account.
Select your location on a map
Choose kind of count you have made (eg travelling or stationary)
Give start time and duration
Enter your list
Share your list with others via email, Facebook or Twitter.
————————
Anushree Bhattacharjee
Coordinator – Education and Outreach
Nature Conservation Foundation
Bangalore
Welcome to GBBC – Great Backyard Bird Count
www.birdsource.org
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages
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