Great Backyard Bird Count kicks off, 50 guided walks planned in Pune

Pune: If you spotted groups of Punekars on the city's hills, in gardens, or by the lakeside this Friday — looking up at the canopy rather than at the trail ahead — you likely witnessed the start of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The global citizen science event, which runs from Feb 13 to Feb 16, has transformed the city into a hub of avian observation. Nearly 50 guided bird walks are being organised across the city's hills, river stretches, lakes, and neighborhood parks. Ranjeet Rane, one of the event organisers and an avid birder, said the goal is simple: "The event encourages people to observe birds for at least 15 minutes and upload their sightings on the eBird platform."
For many, it is an eye-opening experience. Nachiket Likhite, a data scientist and passionate birder who led a trail on the Panchavati hillside, saw the impact firsthand on Friday morning. "I had a group of about 12 people from different backgrounds. We introduced them to two essential tools: Merlin, which identifies birds via photos or calls, and eBird, where observations are recorded," Likhite said. He recounted an encounter with a first-time participant who walked the same trail daily but was stunned to spot several species she had never noticed before. "Once you begin to notice them, it feels incredible," he added. The GBBC is coordinated globally by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, with Bird Count India managing the local effort. The data provides a real-time snapshot of bird distribution, supporting research on migration patterns and the impact of urban growth. In Pune, the community effort has already yielded exciting results. "Last year, Pune documented the European Honey Buzzard —only its second sighting in Maharashtra," said Rane. "This year, we have already sighted the Eurasian Hobby. What makes this rare is that the bird's natural range is typically the Himalayan region. It was spotted by Madhur Vaidya from our group, proving the merit of community birdwatching — there are many more eyes in the sky." India saw record-breaking participation in 2025, with over 6,500 participants submitting 66,000 checklists and reporting more than 1,080 species nationwide. In rapidly expanding cities like Pune, this data is vital for understanding how wildlife utilises fragmented urban habitats. "These events turn birding from an individual hobby into a community activity," Rane noted. "It spreads awareness about the birds' essential role in our ecosystem." Participation is open to everyone through Monday, Feb 16. Participants need to watch birds anywhere in the city for at least 15 minutes. They can use the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify species by sound or sight and submit the sightings via the eBird mobile app or website. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes !