Two world records were smashed over the weekend of 17th and 18th October 2020 during the inaugural Global Bird Weekend when more than 38,000 people took part in “The Biggest Birdwatching Event in History”.

Across the Globe on 17th October, 7111 species of birds – more than ¾ of the world’s bird population - were recorded, beating the previous world record set in May 2018 of 7060 species. 

The weekend brought birdwatchers together from 169 countries and from all seven continents.  Participants were encouraged to minimise their carbon footprint and with current pandemic restrictions, stayed close to home.  By midnight of Sunday 18th the second world record was created when a further 180 species recorded brought the total weekend count to 7276 species.

The first check list was submitted by Dominik Maximilian Ramik at 00.04 in Vanuatu with a Pacific Golden Plover and a Barn Owl.  From then on, species came thick and fast as people woke up across the time zones of the world.  The day ended with nocturnally calling White Terns and Tristam’s Storm-Petrels from Midway Atol.

The weekend was also about encouraging newcomers to birdwatching. Many clubs, societies and organisations including both commercial and NGOs were well represented throughout the world forming more than 150 teams to take their groups into the field.  

Tim Appleton MBE, founder of Global Birding said “I was amazed at the response considering we only launched Global Birding in August 2020.  Being able to unite a worldwide community for Global Bird Weekend by asking them to ‘Go Birding Together for Conservation’ went beyond my wildest dreams and has already produced significant scientific data and inspired new networks of communication”. 

An incredible 50,383 photographs of birds and 1,101 audio recordings were submitted to the Macaulay Library: in one day.  The event has been heralded as one of the greatest citizen science projects ever undertaken.  

In the United Kingdom, 236 species of bird were recorded with up to 19 species of rare birds including Rufous Scrub Robin, Wilson’s Phalarope and appropriately, Masked Shrike.  

Global Bird Weekend was special in many ways as it brought the existing eBird portal, based at Cornell University USA to a more widespread audience.  Global Birding is delighted to work in association with Swarovski Optik and the eBird Team.

Global Birding supported BirdLife International’s Stop Illegal Bird Trade campaign and encouraged donations towards this critical project.  To date the total has exceeded our £20,000 target with donation options available until 31st October.  Naturetrek Wildlife Holidays and their generous supporters have raised a staggering £4650.00.  

Highlights of Data Recorded for Global Bird Weekend Saturday 17th October courtesy of eBird.

Country  Species recorded

Colombia  1289 

Peru  1148

Ecuador  1125

Brazil   1107

Kenya    815

India    726

Australia    516

Spain    301

UK    236

Iran    203

Myanmar    163

Russia    103

Vanuatu    57

Top Global National Teams: Team Tanzania – 655 species; Aves Guatemala 409 species; All India Birding Tours 408 species; Mannakin Nature Tours 392 species.

Top European Team: Team Andalucia, Spain 164 species.

Top International Teams: Rockjumper Birding Tours 1852 species; Naturetrek Wildlife Holidays 1044 species;  BirdLife Species Champions 766 species.