This year's Global Big Day is on 13 May and bird watchers or birders from 150 countries around the world will participate as a global team to see what birds are there.
This year's Bid Day 2017 will be held at the Yucatán Peninsula, one of the world’s most stunning and important areas for birds.
In order to cover the phenomenal bird diversity there, they will be dividing into three teams for the first time ever: Team Belize, Team Guatemala, and Team Mexico.
All three teams will be joining forces in a quest to find the most bird species and raise USD$475,000 for conservation.
All three teams will be joining forces in a quest to find the most bird species and raise USD$475,000 for conservation.
How to Participate in Global Big Day
For those interested in participating in Global Big Day 2017, you can follow the guide below as it highlights how anyone can be a part of this. All you need to do is register on the eBird website and put in your count.
 |
| Birding statistics from the Global Big Day 2017 website (Photo from eBird.org) |
1. Submit Your Data to eBird on May 13, 2017
It is very simple. If you submit your birds to eBird they count. Learn how to take part. Don’t worry — you don’t need to be a bird expert or to go out all day long. Even a half-hour checklist from your backyard will help. Of course, you are welcome to spend the entire day in the field, but know that it is not required! Please enter your data as soon as you can, preferably by Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
2. Visit the Global Bid Day Page for Live Updates and Detailed Stats
During the Big Day, the main page will be updated. You’ll be able to follow Team Sapsucker in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico — but more importantly, you’ll be able to track how many species have been seen around the world and in any region of interest to you.
3. Organize With Your Friends for Greater Coverage
Now is the time to start discussions on local birding discussion lists to make a plan to find difficult species. Learn how to share Global Big Day with others. Try to organize in your home state, province, or even county to make sure teams spread out and find as many species as possible. Put your patch on the worldwide Global Big Day map. Use the hashtag #eBird_GBD for Twitter, Instagram and also Facebook if you can.
4. Join A Global Network of Birders and Conservationists
Global Big Day connects a network of people across the world to support a cause that transcends languages and cultures. From the southern tip of Africa to the soaring peaks of Himalayas, and from the Ecuadorian rainforest to backyards in New York – Everyone is a part of Team eBird, working to understand and conserve the birds we care about.
5. Make Your Sightings Count
Every bird that you enter in eBird counts as a part of Global Big Day. However, there are three ways that you can make your sightings as valuable as possible. It is important to note that these are only suggestions—not requirements!
- Submit complete checklists
- Keep counts of the birds that you see
- Keep multiple checklists throughout the course of your birding: if you get in the car you should end that checklist and start a new one when you get to the next location
 |
| Big Day 2017 (Image from eBird.org) |
Not sure how Global Big Day relates to you?
Global Big Day is a day for everyone who loves birds to make your passion count. Not everyone will find a unique species, and that's absolutely fine.
Even if you just have a few minutes on 13 May 2017, there is nobody better than you to put your local birds on the map.
Even if you just have a few minutes on 13 May 2017, there is nobody better than you to put your local birds on the map.
For more information, visit the Global Big Day Website.
Big Day Malaysia 2017
Malaysia has been a part of Global Big Day for a number of years now. One of the main bird clubs of Malaysia who have promoted this event is no other than the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club or SBBC, which is based in Sandakan Sabah where they have encouraged groups of bird watchers to participate on this special day.
The Sandakan Borneo Bird Club has also successfully organized the Borneo Big Day where three countries - Brunei, Malaysia and Kalimantan, Indonesia participated in collecting data from the entire island of Borneo.
This was initiated in 2015 and again in 2016. For Borneo Big Day 2015, the Sabah portion submitted 53 checklists with a total number of 333 birds.
This was initiated in 2015 and again in 2016. For Borneo Big Day 2015, the Sabah portion submitted 53 checklists with a total number of 333 birds.
About the writer
I am David Hogan Jr, an amateur birder who has been birding since 2007. I also have another birding site called Bird Watching Asia which is pure birding.
On occasion, I travel all over Malaysia and other countries for my work in promoting tourism destinations and when I have the opportunity, I will do some casual birding. To know more, see my bird watching articles.
Conclusion
I have worked closely with the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Indonesia Tourism, Bird Watching Accessories, Malaysia Bird Tour Companies, and many other related companies, hotel, resort or tour operator.
Those who are all set for Global Big Day 2017, all the best and have a great bird count. Remember to add your collected data to the eBird website and if you have any comments or questions, do share them below.