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 an additional site form, one can take part 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 take part is on the Bird Count India page for the AWC.
The Bunting Count that started in November 2023 continues till April 2024. See details here.
Assam
From 28 December, 2023 – 17 January, 2024 , 7 Weaves Research Foundation is conducting a Winter Bird Festival at Deepor Beel, a Ramsar Site and an Important Bird Area in Guwahati to carry out a comparative diversity study of the birds in the lake during winter. It the second year of winter birdwatching event to commemorate migratory season. Here is the registration link. For queries, contact: +91 9954775762; Email: taniya@7weaves.com
The Kaziranga Bird Festival will take place from 9th– 10th January. See registration form here.
Bird Races
Gujarat
The Gujarat Bird Race coordinated by BSCG Gujarat will take place on 7th January. Please see this PDF for more details and register using this form.
Karnataka
The 18th edition of the annual Bangalore Bird Race will take place on 31 January. You are required to register using this form. For individual registrations, the organisers will club the members into groups of 3 or 4 and notify all.
Tamil Nadu
If you are in Tamil Nadu between 14- 17 Jan, do consider participating in the Pongal Bird Count. Details here.
Uttarakhand
Corbett Tiger Reserve in association with Oriental Trails is back with the Winter Bird Survey in the most pristine forest of Uttarakhand. The Bird Survey is scheduled from 19th to 22nd Jan 2024. Registration form here.
Challenges
Watch out this space for some of the global challenges set for this new year.
The January 2023 eBirding Challenge for India puts the AWC in focus and requires one to survey at least 3 wetlands this month
See here for the yearly challenge for India for 2024.
Happy birding and may 2024 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.