Mumbai’s Annual Event Of Bird Race During February

“The Mumbai Bird Race is a highly anticipated event that takes place every year. Bird lovers and enthusiasts gather in February to appreciate the beauty of local and migratory birds, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Aims to discover the highest number of bird species during the race day at popular Mumbai’s famous bird watching spots in Mumbai..”

Important Note: The Mumbai bird race happens annually in February. The rules and regulations may vary each year, so it is advised to reach out to the authorities for the latest information.

Bird Race
Bird Race

In 2022, the bird race event happened on February 20th. The results showed the highest number of bird species in the past 7 years. Around 350 people participated and visited different places in Mumbai and MMR (Alibaug, Manor, Kalwa, Dombivli & Kalyan, Thane, and even hill station locations like Matheran). However, the most recent event revealed a significant decrease in migratory birds due to increased human activities, construction, and infrastructure development in Mumbai.

Around 60 birding teams explore each year and discover nearly 250 bird species. However, some notable birds like Vultures were absent, and there were fewer Larks and Woodpeckers observed.

CONNECT : Wiki for upcoming birding event registration and other details.

Yearly Bird Race Event in Mumbai

Previously registration process was possible via website. Now the registration and participation were made easier by introducing Mobile App with the name ‘eBird by Cornell Lab’ which is available at Google play store. So, Download the App and enjoy birding.

Every year, nature activists like Sunjoy Monga, Ravi Vaidyanathan, and Pravin Subramanian, along with their crew, organize the annual bird race in Mumbai. This special event attracts bird photographers, bird watchers, and bird lovers from the city. By participating in this event, one can learn about the various species of birds in Mumbai, both old and new. The event takes place on 26th February 2012 and has been successfully held for 8 years since it started in 2005.

Since its inception, the bird race has discovered around 200 to 300 different species of birds each year. Due to its popularity, this hunt for beautiful-looking birds has expanded to 14 other cities in India.

You don’t need any specific training or certification to participate in this race. Whether you’re a professional or simply someone who enjoys birdwatching as a hobby, expert, or enthusiast, you’re welcome to join and spend time observing and counting bird species.

Prepare yourself for capturing moments with your digital camera or observing through binoculars in the dense forests and bird sanctuaries of Mumbai like Maharashtra Nature Park, National Park, Botanical Garden of Colaba and many other bird watching locations. You are welcomed at any age.

Bird Race Schedules and Registrations

Since 2005, the Mumbai bird race has been announced online and possibly in some newspapers. These announcements provide information about the rules and registration options. We would appreciate it if the organizers of this event could reach out to us regarding the upcoming race schedules. We are particularly interested in knowing the timings and both online and offline registration options. Currently, we do not have the updated online details of the organizers.

To participate in the race, you need to have a team of 4 to 5 members. Once you receive the confirmation of registration, you are eligible to take part in the race. If you don’t have enough people in your group, you can try contacting others who are interested in joining the bird-watching race in Mumbai. In case you are unable to find anyone, you can still register as an individual and seek guidance from the organizers.

Bird Race Rules Regulations

1. Your group must consist of at least 4 members, with one member being a birder who has knowledge about different bird species and can serve as the group leader.
2. Each group participating in the bird race must have a unique name, which can be the name of any bird.
3. You can conduct your bird hunt within a 60 km radius of Mumbai city.
4. Multiple teams can be in the same location.
5. All the birds you spot must be logged in the logbook and submitted before 6:00 PM, which marks the end of the bird watching activity.
6. It is not allowed to discuss or share your progress with other team members during the race, as it may lead to disqualification.
7. After 6:00 PM, the logbooks will be reviewed, and the teams that have found the highest number of unique bird species will be rewarded.
8. When going on a bird watching trek, make sure to bring all your belongings such as binoculars, a cap, and a logbook.
9. To participate in these activities, you need to be a registered member and have written permission as stated in the terms.

Note:Please visit the official website for detailed race rules, regulations, and updated information regarding requirements.

The Yearly Decline of Bird Species

Snake Bird, Bird Of The Year 2015
Snake Bird, Bird Of The Year 2015

Every year, teams have a sad experience of missing many species that are usually seen. Each time, 6 to 8 migratory bird species are either unseen or completely absent at wetlands such as Sewri, Murbad, Vashi Bridge, SGNP, Karnala Century, and various other locations.

LOST SPECIES: This year, just like every year, there was a decrease in the number of species. Some of the species that showed a decline include Quail, White Stork, Oystercatcher, Black Redstart, Ruddy Turnstone, Ashy Woodswallow, Larks, and Harriers. These species are rarely seen in the city, with only two individuals spotted.

NEW SPECIES FOUND: During bird races, the thrill begins when uncommon species are unexpectedly spotted at these locations. Some of the notable sightings include the Oriental Darter, which is the Bird of the year, a few species of Woodpeckers, the Spotted Owl, Red Spurfowl, Nakta bird, a white Sea-eagle, Blue capped rock thrush, Caspian Tern, and the Black Eagle.

The data from the Bird racers since 2005 shows that every year there is decline in the count of regular species and the new species too. Year 2005 & 2006 was and excellent year as they found maximum number of species in the race at various locations in and near Mumbai.

The birding hotspots in Mumbai, such as the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, and Thane Creek, have unfortunately witnessed a significant decline in recent years. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including rapid infrastructural development, the disappearance of wetlands, the absence of new fruiting and bird-attracting plants and trees, as well as increasing pollution and noise levels. It is disheartening to see these once-thriving locations facing such challenges.

You might also like to know about the upcoming Trombay jetty flamingo watching and Flamingo watching places in Mumbai and the newly declared flamingo century at thane creek.



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Greetings, I am Deven, the founder of Mumbai77. With immense passion, I have dedicated my full-time efforts to continuously learn and update important information about Mumbai city. Currently, I am a full-time blogger residing in Mumbai. Since its establishment on July 7, 2007, Mumbai77 has attracted millions of pageviews. Our website aims to provide valuable information, including my personal reviews and experiences, to assist individuals worldwide in their search for updated information about Mumbai city.

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