Mysuru/Mysore: The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), the world’s largest coordinated birding exercise, involving both ornithologists and amateurs alike is back. The 21st edition of GBBC will begin from Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) and end on Feb. 17.
With participants from more than 150 countries, the GBBC is a global event where birders of all skill levels help estimate bird abundance and distribution. Participants count the birds they see for at least 30 minutes on one or more days of the count, they then enter their checklists at the e-Bird website. The data helps compile a snapshot of bird populations that enables scientists to detect population changes over time. The Great Backyard Bird Count was launched in 1988 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, New York, USA and since 2013 this event is observed in other countries, including India. There was a Christmas Bird Count in the US in the 80s that kick-started the ‘stop hunting, start counting’ culture.
