October Global Bird Weekend

Oct 6, 2023
2 min read

There are two international days in the year, when many birders go out and count birds. The first one in May is Global Big Day, chosen at that time of the year to count migrants arriving for summer.

The second is on the 14th October, again to include migrant birds but for the winter.

A quote from eBird - "nearly 35,000 people from 185 countries submitted 80,000 checklists with eBird (in 2022 for October Big Day), demonstrating the power of birds to bring people together."

It is also World Migratory Bird Day on the Saturday.

Personally I use the Trip Reports in eBird for my recording. It shows where you travelled during each session. Usually I cover the coast, El Hondo, Santa Pola/El Pinet and inland (to see the Chough, Woodchat Shrikes, Eagles, etc.). It is focussed on bird counting and watching, using my binoculars, rather than photography. Don't worry I still come home with over 2000 pictures! It's the sorting through them all that takes the time. Sometimes I miss the days of film photography.

I am hoping to see lots of migrants - Snipe, Green-winged Teal, Grey Plover, Godwits, Turnstones, Red Knot, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Crake and hopefully the return of a Greater Spotted Eagle or two.

El Hondo has had a few over the years but the shooting industry gets more than I do sadly.

Hobbys should be back, as well as European Robins, Black Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Song Thrush, Chiffchaffs, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Corn Bunting and a few Siskin. What a tasty list of visiting feathered friends! I can't wait to get out for them.

Some of these above species mentioned, are already here and they must be wondering why, as we are having an extended summer, with temperatures still in the 30 degrees C range (high 80s Fahrenheit).

Join up with some friends or reach out to a group for the day or weekend and enjoy learning and watching the birds. I learn something new from every person I meet, every day's a school day.

Tell me what you saw, or which special experience you had, which will undoubtedly stay with you for years to come!