Join BWD for Global Bird Weekend!

Bird Watcher’s Digest is joining friends around the world in The Global Bird Weekend, and we’re inviting you to join us, too! 

WHO IS INVOLVED 

Tim Appleton of Rutland, England, was the beloved face of the British Birdfair for more than 30 years, and his vision, spirit, and energy inspired its success for decades. Because our world has changed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Tim, his partner, Penny, and birding influencers from around the world have banded together to begin a new venture: The Global Bird Weekend. Bird Watcher’s Digest is proud to be supporting and participating in this exciting event, and we hope all of our subscribers and followers will join us! 

WHEN AND WHERE IT’S HAPPENING 

This year on October 17 and 18, the Global Bird Weekend will take place in every country, city, county, and burg where birders reside. Bird Watcher’s Digest staff will be participating, and we want you to join us—from your backyard, your front porch, your local patch, or a nearby hotspot.  

WHAT THE GLOBAL BIRD WEEKEND IS ALL ABOUT 

• We hope to have as many people as possible, all over the planet, join in The Global Bird Weekend October 17 & 18, 2020.  
• We aim to set a world record for the most people birding at once AND the greatest number of birds seen in a single day and weekend! 
• You can participate all day, all weekend, or any part of the day or weekend—whatever your schedule and lifestyle allow. 
• We hope to have 25,000 people birding—together and individually—all over the world on Saturday, October 17, and record what they see on an easy-to-use eBird platform created especially for this event. (Not an eBirder? Joining is easy, or make sure someone in your group is an eBirder and reports for the group.) 

• We hope to collectively see 6,000 bird species in a single day, October 17, around the world, and record the sightings on eBird. 
• On Sunday, October 18, take your friends, your camera, your sketch pad, your digiscoping rig, or your cell phone and share your photos and experiences through social media using these hashtags: #globalbirdweekend #globalbirding. You also can upload your images to eBird’s dedicated Global Bird Weekend page. 
• Lastly, we will raise funds for Birdlife International’s Conservation Project: Stop the Illegal Trade of Birds. 
• For all other details, visit the Global Birding website, or Global Bird Weekend Facebook page.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE 

1. Visit the Global Birding website, then scroll down the homepage to Individuals Register Here. 
2. Complete the registration page, hit “send,” and you’ll receive an email confirming your registration. 
3. If you plan to participate individually, make sure you have an active eBird account. If not, you can sign up here.  
4. If you plan to join others for Global Bird Weekend, you must all register as individuals, but also include your team name alongside your personal name in the first registration box as you register. If you have a group, please designate an eBirder in your group to do the reporting. 
5. This eBird link gives you all the information you need to participate and report via eBird successfully, along with pro tips for making it a great “big day” for you and your team! 
6. We hope you’ll consider donating to Birdlife International’s Conservation Project: Stop Illegal Bird Trade. Please visit their website for more information on this critical conservation project. Don’t forget to invite others to donate, too, as we share the Global Bird Weekend with our friends, family, and followers. 

 WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE 

• Now more than ever, we all need to feel connected to something positive.  
• This is easy and fun, and can be done in a safe and healthy way. 
• You can join a small, COVID-safe friend or group and enjoy a day of socially distant birding together. 

• We all need to get outside and go birding! 
• It’s free to participate. 
• It will connect you with other birders around the world. 
• You can raise awareness of birds, birding, and conservation. 
• You can help raise funds to stop the illegal bird trade. 

BE SAFE & BIRD MINDFULLY 

We recognize that COVID-19 continues to impact our communities. Even if your local conditions have improved, we encourage everyone to put safety first, follow local health guidelines, and bird mindfully. You can bird from home and still participate in the Global Bird Weekend! 

So, what are you waiting for? Register today and join Bird Watcher’s Digest in this exciting global event that supports citizen science, birds, nature, connection, and conservation!