What's on in January
It’s the start of the new year and January is, of course, peak birdwatching season.
A number of birding events- bird races, bird surveys, bird festivals are happening this month. A great way to meet other bird watchers is by going to such events. Not only do you get to meet fellow birders but you also get to meet experts and local birders who can help you to see more birds.
Birding Events:
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) takes place every January. By using eBird and filling out an additional site form, one can participate in this multi-country effort to document the state of our wetlands and waterbirds. Running since 1987, this survey includes wetlands of any type, including mangroves, estuaries, lakes, tanks, reservoirs, rivers, marshland, and even wet paddies. More details on how to participate are here.
The 5th edition of BNHS’s Indian Skimmer Count is scheduled for 4th and 5th January 2025. As in the previous four years, participants are encouraged to visit any of the shortlisted sites or other potential locations where Indian Skimmers are likely to be recorded on the count dates. Details and registration here.
The 9th edition of Tamil Birders Meet 2025 is being scheduled for 4 January 2025, Saturday at Thanthai Hans Roever College (Autonomous), Perambalur, Tamil Nadu. Click here to fill out the registration form. Registration Fee: Rs. 250/- (Free for students, but registration is mandatory). For queries, send an email to tnebirder@gmail.com
WINGS—Birds of India (India Bird Races)
The hugely popular India BirdRaces now come in a new avatar. The 2024-25 season, from November 2024 – March 2025, will be held in at up to 14 cities across India, and a couple of these will be pan-state events (held across numerous districts and cities of a state). See here for details.
The Bunting Count that started in October 2024 continues till April 2024. See details here.
Challenges
Watch out this space for some of the global challenges set for this new year.
The January 2025 eBirding Challenge for India puts the AWC in focus and requires one to survey at least 2 wetlands this month.
See here for the yearly challenge for India for 2025.
Happy birding, and may 2025 bring a lot of birds and birding your way!
Are you organizing a birding event soon?
If so, please drop a line to skimmer@birdcount.in so that we can include it in our monthly “What’s On in Birding” updates.