Students take the lead as Great Backyard Bird Count 2026 returns to campuses

As the global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) returns from February 13 to 16, students across the country are once again set to play a leading role through the Campus Bird Count — an initiative coordinated by the Bird Count India in collaboration with the WWF India and the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES).

Building on last year’s momentum, when more than 270 campuses uploaded over 8,000 bird lists, its organisers expect participation from an even larger number of colleges, universities, and schools this year. The Campus Bird Count, a sister event of the global GBBC, has emerged as a powerful platform for engaging young people in citizen science and biodiversity documentation, according to P.O. Nameer, Kerala coordinator of the event.

The GBBC is a global annual event that invites people of all ages to observe and record birds, creating a real-time snapshot of bird populations worldwide. Globally, the event is organised by Cornell University and the Audubon Society in the United States, while Bird Count India — a consortium of over 70 birding, nature, and conservation organisations — coordinates activities across the country.

Last year, birdwatchers from every Indian State and Union Territory took part in the GBBC, with more than 10,000 participants from diverse age groups and backgrounds contributing observations.

What sets the Campus Bird Count apart is its focus on green spaces beyond protected areas. Across the country, students and faculty documented birds in courtyards, heritage groves, tree-lined walkways, and areas near waterbodies. These informal green spaces, organisers note, are increasingly becoming crucial refuges for biodiversity in rapidly urbanising cities and towns.

Participants are encouraged to watch birds anywhere on their campus for at least 15 minutes during the four-day count, identify all birds seen or heard, and upload their observations using the eBird app. The Bird Count India has also urged participants to connect with State coordinators for guidance and join local campus events.

Adding to the outreach this year is the launch of a free online course, Into the World of Birds, on February 12. Jointly developed by Early Bird, Roundglass Sustain, and Bird Count India, the self-paced multimedia course is designed for learners aged 14 and above.

Through videos, quizzes, and field-based assignments, the course explores bird evolution, behaviour, ecology, and citizen science, aiming to turn nature enthusiasts into informed birdwatchers, according to a release from the Bird Count India.