The American College commences 10th annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The leafy corridors of The American College here on Friday transformed into a hub of scientific discovery as the Green Management Programme (GMP) launched its 10th consecutive edition of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).

Armed with binoculars and checklists, over 60 students began the four-day exercise to document the avian diversity of the campus. In the opening session, the young birders successfully recorded more than 10 distinct species, including the Spotted Owlet, Pond Heron, Rufous Treepie, Rose-Ringed Parakeet, and Shikra.

The event marked a decade of contribution by the college to one of the world’s largest citizen science projects. Under the guidance of M. Rajesh, GMP Coordinator, students were given an immersive exploration of the birds’ habitats and behaviours.

“This isn’t just a walk through the campus; it’s a vital data collection exercise,” said Mr. Rajesh. “By documenting these populations every year, the students are helping scientists understand how urban bird life is responding to environmental changes.”

Over 10,000 participants from more than 24,000 locations across India managed to document a staggering 1,086 species last year, representing nearly 78% of the total bird species found in the country.

As the college aims to extend the spirit of conservation beyond its student body, it has invited the general public to participate in the count on February 15 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Nature enthusiasts and local residents are encouraged to join the session to learn the basics of birdwatching and contributing to the national database.