Invitation: Big Bird Day this Sunday
Delhi Bird is organizing the Big Bird Day on February 22nd, 2009 (Sunday)
Big Bird Day is an annual event of one of the most active bird watching community in the country. It’s the day when we celebrate the rich birdlife that enlivens our city and the surrounding areas while simultaneously spreading a conservation message.
Like every year, at least 10 or more teams will start birding at different places around Delhi and then carry on to any other place at a pace and rhythm that suits each team. Jointly, by the end of the day, we would try to watch as many species as possible within and around Delhi. At day’s end, we would tabulate the list of each team and arrive at the total number of species collectively seen during the day. In 2006 the count was 236, and 2007 total was 188.
The places that are going to be covered are: Yamuna, Khadar, Sanjay Van, Ridge, Yamuna Bio Diversity Park, Delhi Zoo, Gardens, Asola, Tughlakabad, Dadri, Sultanpur, Basai, KG Wetlands, Sonipat, Aravali Biodiversity Park, Hauz Khas Lake, JNU, Najafgarh Drain, Bhindawas, Sonipat and anywhere else that you may desire.
Each team will start in the morning at a pre-determined place as per the list below. From there the team would then go to the next place of their choice. Anyone can join any team for the walk for the whole day or for as long as is convenient to each.
The team leaders and the starting points are mentioned below:
-
BHINDAWAS : Dr. Chetna Sharma along with Gita Goswami will be coordinating the event at Bhindawas. Suresh Sharma will also be there Coordinate with Dr Chetna (Mobile 09896434283) and/or Gita (mobile 09815615776)
-
SONIPAT : Gaggu (Mobile 09729896707)
-
DADRI Wetlands : Wing Commander Sethi /Anand Arya (Please coordinate with Mr. Sethi: Mobile 9810134504)
-
KG Wetlands : Anshuman Verma (Confirm meeting point with Anshuman. Mobile 9818550438)
-
SULTANPUR : Abhijit Menon-Sen (Meeting at Sultanpur main gate at 6.45 am. Mobile 9811107990)
-
JNU : Dr. Surya Prakash (Meet at the main gate of JNU at 6.30 am. Mobile 9810408330)
-
Okhla Biodiversity Park : Dr Vinod Gupta (Meet at the Banyan by the River at 6.45 am) Mobile 9810234829
-
Univesrity of Delhi (North Campus), Kamla Nehru Ridge : Govind (Meet at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station at 6.45 AM) Mobile: 9811147754
-
YAMUNA BIODIVERSITY PARK : Faiyaz Khudsar, (Please coordinate with Faiyaz at 9810511552).
-
BASAI : Kanwar B Singh (Meet at the temple at Basai at 06.30 am. Mobile no. of KB: 9868947003)
-
NAJAFGARH DRAIN : Lt Col. Jaideep Chanda / Sajit (Coordinate with Jaideep at mob. 9968656643)
-
Team WWF (Schools Kids) : Lodi Garden, Zoo and then the Yamuna (Meet at the WWF Office). Details will be posted separetly.
We are also looking forward to member suggesting other places where they would like to lead a birdwalk. And those who can’t join a team must still do some bird watching where ever you are and send us your list by the evening. And even those who are not able to get away are still welcome to join us in the evening for dinner to hear the day’s account.
Bikram Grewal (9811159398) would be the official score and time keeper
Big Bird Day Rules:
-
Birders can start as early as they want.
-
Call are not to be included
-
Bikram has prepared a checklist especially for this event. Those who want it should email him directly and he will email you a copy. Please print out a copy.
Once you have finished please deposit your sightings to Bikram’s Office at Katwaria Sarai near Qutub Minar. The office will be open from 4 pm and snacks and soft drinks will be available. Those who want to freshen up there may also do so before proceeding for dinner. Those who cannot reach the office can email their lists to biks@vsnl.com or biks.grewal@ gmail.com.
The deadline for receiving lists is 7 pm at the above address, after that please carry your list to dinner.
For any further queries please feel free to call the following:
Kanwar B Singh-9868947003
Nikhil Devasar- 9810008625
Happy Birding and look forward to enthusiastic participation by one and all.
