Birdwatchers set a new world record on May 9th for birds documented in a single day. During the annual Global Big Day, participants reported a record-breaking 2.1 million bird observations, recording 6,479 species. An all-time high of 50,000 participants submitted more than 120,000 checklists, shattering the previous single-day checklist total by 30%.
The Global Big Day sightings were submitted to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s free eBird program, which uses the data to power science, outreach, and conservation efforts around the world.
This Global Big Day was unprecedented for another reason: it took place during a pandemic. Participants birded where they could safely do so, socially distanced from balconies, gardens, and local parks—contributing from every continent toward a common cause. Their record-breaking numbers are part of a larger trend that has become pronounced in recent months as birds and nature have become a bright spot for many.
During the first two weeks of April, eBird checklist submissions jumped 46% compared with the same period the previous year. Contributions of photo and audio recordings to the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library wildlife media archive, and downloads of the Lab’s free Merlin Bird ID app, were all up by 50–100%.
Even watching birds for just 10 minutes and sharing observations, photos, and sound recordings at eBird.org, any day of the year, from anywhere in world, can help the effort to better understand, conserve, and enjoy birds.
Read more about record-setting Big Day results made possible by individuals and by partner organizations around the world.
Check out the number of participants from some other countries.
Photos, from above: Blue Grosbeak by Jay McGowan, Macaulay Library; Ovenbird by Ian Davies, Macaulay Library; and Baltimore Oriole by Tim Lenz, Macaulay Library.