Avian Census 2026: Delhi-NCR Birders Document Rare Species in Annual Biodiversity Survey

Delhi-NCR's ornithological community conducted its annual Big Bird Day survey on January 26, 2026, deploying over 300 birdwatchers across 30 strategic monitoring locations. The systematic census yielded significant ecological intelligence, with participants confirming sightings of multiple rare migratory species including the Baikal teal (Sibirionetta formosa) and smoky warbler (Phylloscopus fuligiventer). These observations provide critical data points for understanding changing migration patterns in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The coordinated monitoring effort, spanning urban wetlands, protected forest fragments, and agricultural landscapes, represents one of North India's most comprehensive citizen-science biodiversity initiatives. Preliminary analysis suggests these rare sightings may indicate either expanding wintering ranges or displacement from traditional habitats due to climate variables. The collected data will undergo verification through photographic evidence and expert validation before integration into the national avian database maintained by the Bombay Natural History Society. This annual survey serves as both an ecological barometer and conservation tool, with findings informing habitat management policies across the National Capital Region.