‘The Biggest Birdwatching Event in History’ witnessed two world records in the year 2020
By Harsh Vardhan
Two world records were set over the weekend of 17th-18th October 2020 during the inaugural Global Bird Weekend – an event that brought together more than 38,000 passionate nature lovers from all over the world to participate in what was dubbed “The Biggest Birdwatching Event in History”, wrote Alex Dale at the BirdlifeInternational portal.
A total of 169 countries pooled in
In all, birdwatchers from 169 countries (and all seven continents!) pooled together to record an incredible 7,101 avian species on the eBird app (more than three quarters of the world’s total), beating the previous one-day world record of 7,060 set in May 2018. The next day, a further 180 species were added to the total, bringing the final number to 7,281 and securing a second world record in as many days.
The event, the largest of its kind to focus on the Autumn migration, was organised by Tim Appleton MBE, co-founder of the British Birdwatching Fair. “I was amazed at the response considering we only launched Global Birding in August 2020”, says Appleton. “Being able to unite a worldwide community for Global Bird Weekend by asking them to ‘Go Birding Together for Conservation’ went beyond my wildest dreams and has already produced significant scientific data and inspired new networks of communication”.
The impressive numbers boost confidence
The numbers are all the more impressive considering they were achieved in the midst of a pandemic, with participants encouraged to minimise their global footprint and stay near home. Far from a mere frolic, the event had tangible conservation impact, with over £24,000 raised for BirdLife’s Stop Illegal Bird Trade appeal. An incredible 50,383 photographs and 1,101 audio recordings found their way onto eBird, making the event a tremendously successful citizen science project. Global Bird Weekend was staged by Global Birding, in association with Swarovski Optik, powered by eBird and supporting BirdLife International. To find out more, visit: globalbirding.org
Another record: 127 species of birds recorded
In India, a record 127 species of birds were recorded at Nevta, Barkheda, Man Sagar, Chandlai and Grassfarm Nursery, all located around city of Jaipur, India, on same dates. The new feat was attained by a team of TWSI volunteers: Govind Yadav, Rahul Sharma, Ajay Sharma, Rakesh Sharma, Naveen Singh, Mayank Sharma, Sumit Bari, Parakh Vijay and Nishant Nath Shukla. Red-necked Phalarope was a rare bird spotted and photographed by Naveen Singh. To this Appleton wrote to Harsh Vardhan, “What a brilliant list of species the Volunteers recorded for Global Bird Weekend, it demonstrates the importance of Jaipur and its surrounding areas for birds and their conservation. Please pass on my congratulations to everyone who took part.”
(Please see: The feature image depicts a red-necked Phalarope at distance at Nevta–pic courtesy Naveen Singh)
