The February ritual of birdwatching from balconies, grounds, wetlands and village reservoirs has become one of the most reliable citizen science exercises in the country. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), globally coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and partners, has seen Indian participation since its global expansion in 2013.
The 2026 edition documented 1,087 species, with India finishing second globally. Within the national canvas, Andhra Pradesh offered a revealing cross-section of habitats, from the arid regions of Rayalaseema to the estuaries of the northern coastal regions. The state ranked 12th in total species with 319 species. West Bengal led the national statistics with 519 species, reflecting its mosaic of Himalayan foothills, Gangetic plains and coastal wetlands.
The county data underscores how geography shapes the checklist. Chittoor led the state with 203 species, followed by Anantapur with 165. In north Andhra, Vizianagaram secured the sixth position with 141 species, while Visakhapatnam with 133 species was ranked ninth. Srikakulam, although lower in the formal rankings this year, remains ecologically significant due to its network of estuaries and coastal wetlands.
The numbers represent four days of disciplined observation, recorded by amateurs and experienced birders and verified through the eBird platform. For researchers, the dataset provides a seasonal snapshot of winter migrants prior to their departure north.
Campuses as urban refuges
Participants from Green Poet Society of GITAM (Deemed University) during GBBC in Visakhapatnam. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In Visakhapatnam, GITAM (Deemed to be University) stood out as an active microhabitat. Members of the Green Poet Society, the campus Nature club, have documented 43 species on the university campus. Orange-headed Thrush, Black-headed Oriole and Gray Hornbill were among those observed.
Harish Prakash of the Department of Life Sciences, who mentors the club, notes: “Birds act as reliable ecological indicators. A count like the GBBC offers a credible picture of how urban green pockets sustain bird diversity. Educational campuses often retain more trees than commercial districts, and that structural complexity supports a wider range of species.”
He also notes an absence that surprised the group. “The red bulbul, usually common in the city, was barely spotted on campus. We encountered only one individual in four days,” he says, suggesting that even familiar species require attention as their presence declines.
More than 100 hotspots were covered across the district. Visakhapatnam airport wetland emerged as the leading site with 85 species. Vivek Rathod of Wildlife Conservation Through Research and Education, one of the top observers from the region, pointed out the seasonal value of the wetland. “The airport wetland continues to host winter migrants in significant numbers. We’ve seen northern tulip, grebe, crested and white-headed toad, along with native species,” he says, adding that such suburban wetlands quietly carry a significant ecological responsibility.
Vizianagaram Wetland Network
Participants from Vizianagaram during GBBC. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Vizianagaram’s record of 141 species comes from 23 wetlands. Durgasi Chandra Sekhar, Zoology Lecturer at SSSS Degree College and member of the East Coast Conservation Team, credited the increase to wider participation. “More sites were inspected this year and more checklists were submitted. The increase in local involvement strengthened the district’s data coverage compared to previous editions,” he says.
Northern Pintail. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR
On the checklist were winter visitors such as sandpiper, green and wood sandpiper, white and gray sandpiper, citrine sandpiper, ringed plover, common pipit and common snipe. Birds of prey and songbirds have added to the seasonal profile, including the river kestrel, common flycatcher, black wagtail, rosy starling and crested drongo.
Srikakulam’s residential corridor
Mating storks painted at Telineelapuram in Srikakulam district. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR
In Srikakulam, birds documented a wider migration corridor extending from Vamsadhara mouth to Nagavali river mouth near PD Palem and Kalingapatnam. While the district’s GBBC checklist has been modest this year, fieldwork in recent months suggests considerable potential.
Balaga Naveen, a birder from the district, describes the ecological area: “Srikakulam contains inland freshwater bodies such as the Sylada and Vemulada lakes, along with brackish estuaries at Naupada, PD Palem, Nagavali and Vamsadhara. Each habitat attracts a different group of migrants, from Siberian ducks to shorebirds.”
In the wider landscape, species such as pied avocet, black-bellied tern, folded duck and pied grebe have been recorded. Naveen emphasizes the need for integrated thinking. “These wetlands and estuaries should be seen as a connected system rather than isolated bird sites. Recognition as ‘Important Bird Areas’ would offer a practical framework for their protection,” he says, adding that sand mining and coastal development are having a negative impact.
Reading numbers
Nationwide, 1,086 Indian species showcase the country’s extraordinary bird wealth during the four-day exercise. West Bengal’s top count of 519 species highlights how habitat diversity translates into higher values. Andhra Pradesh’s 319 species, though comparatively lower, is a reflection of its diverse terrain and expanding citizen involvement.
For North Andhra, the GBBC is gradually evolving from a recreational list-making exercise to a citizen’s book of ecological change. The data collected each February does not address habitat loss or regulatory gaps. However, it provides a cumulative record against which future shifts can be measured. In districts like Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam, this record is increasingly detailed.
Published – 20 Feb 2026 10:32 IST