On Global Big Day, Faraaz Abdool toured, from sunup to twilight, the Main Ridge to the wetlands, and counted 85 species of birds. He reports here on the highlights of a magical day. Contact him to participate in the next Big Day, planned to take place in October 2022.
Thousands of birders around the world observed Global Big Day on May 14. It is organised to identify species of birds in the same 24-hour period. Each year since its inception in 2015 by the Cornell Ornithology Lab, more people in more countries take part in the effort to tally as many bird species in the same 24-hour period. Global Big Day in May 2021 saw 7,234 species recorded across 192 countries. Numbers swelled this year to 7,682 species in 201 countries – the first time the number of participating countries crossed the 200 mark.
The purpose of this exercise is far-reaching and scientifically significant, to map and record birds in every location on earth at a moment in time. There are two Global Big Days each year, one in May and the other in October and both coincide with peak migration times. Many migratory species’ paths are poorly understood, and sightings from as many countries as possible contribute to the understanding of global ornithology. In this present moment of extreme anthropogenic pressure on the natural world, we seek to learn as much as possible about the animals we share our space with.
While there is no prize for the highest total, there is satisfaction in mapping the world of birds. Every level of participation helps to make more people aware of the natural environment. Many work in teams to raise funds for various environmental causes and scientific pursuits. The fundraising effort by regional non-profit Birds Caribbean took the form of a birding tournament, with teams from the various islands competing to raise the most funds via birding. This writer represented the island of Tobago as part of Bajan Birders and Friends with members from Barbados, St Lucia, Canada, and the US.
[caption id="attachment_957735" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A charismatic white-tailed sabrewing flew in to say hello. - Faraaz Abdool[/caption]
Global Big Day commenced with a spectacular sunrise through thick, brooding clouds sitting low over Main Ridge. The rainforest was slow to wake, with many birds opting to remain hidden in the undergrowth. Their presence was felt as they filled the cool air with their melodious songs and calls. Barred ant shrikes called to each other in staccato. The thick, rich warble of a nearby rufous-breasted wren rose over on the soft calls of red-legged honeycreepers in the canopy.
Magical as it was, there was a full day ahead. For the sightings to count toward Global Big Day statistics, they had to be recorded on eBird, a free citizen science app. As long as a bird could be reliably identified, the species was recorded. Fresh off the blocks along the Roxborough-Bloody Bay Road within the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the list was already impressive. Secretive birds like the plain antvireo and the rarely se
