A first in Telangana: Birdwatchers unite for the Hyderabad City Bird Atlas

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s birding community is abuzz with excitement as the city embarks on the first-ever Hyderabad Bird Atlas (HBA), a citizen science initiative that aims to systematically document the city's bird species. In an effort to track urban biodiversity, the project has brought together birdwatchers from across Telangana, forging a collaborative movement that spans multiple birding groups, including Hyderabad Birding Pals (HBP), Deccan Birders, and WWF-India.

The HBA, modeled after similar successful bird atlases from Coimbatore, Mysore, and Kerala, marks a significant milestone in the city's birdwatching history. For the first time, birdwatchers and experts are uniting to map out the diversity of birdlife within Hyderabad, aiming to fill gaps in data collection that have been primarily focused on heavily birded areas.

The project will span three years, with surveys conducted twice a year in February (winter) and July (summer), focusing on a range of habitats such as woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and urban landscapes. Using a meticulous survey protocol, Hyderabad has been divided into 45 grids, each containing multiple subcells, with four randomly chosen subcells per grid selected for observation. A detailed 15-minute checklist is recorded in each subcell, aiming for 720 checklists per season, resulting in a monumental effort of over 180 hours of birdwatching data collection each year.

What makes this initiative truly unique is the involvement of everyday citizens. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or a complete beginner, anyone can volunteer to help with the surveys. Training sessions will be held to familiarise participants with the use of apps like eBird and Merlin, essential tools for bird identification and data collection. Volunteers will be guided through the survey process by birding experts, ensuring that proper methodology is followed to ensure the accuracy of the data.

Speaking with the Hyderabad Mail, Farida Tampal, State Director of WWF-India, highlighted the importance of the Hyderabad Bird Atlas (HBA) in providing crucial insights into the bird species residing in the city. She explained that the project not only documents the diversity of birdlife in Hyderabad but also sheds light on the impact of urbanisation on local wildlife.

“This project will help us understand how urban landscapes affect bird populations, especially in the context of seasonal changes and migratory patterns,” Farida Tampal said. She added that the data collected through the HBA will play a vital role in guiding urban planning, informing conservation strategies, and offering valuable clues about the city’s overall ecological health.

The involvement of various environmental organizations, nature lovers' groups, and even local schools and colleges further reinforces the significance of this effort. Volunteers from across Hyderabad are encouraged to sign up, not only to contribute to a historic initiative but to gain a deeper understanding of how urbanization and nature are interconnected.

Among the most exciting aspects of the survey is the opportunity to document migratory birds, with the season coinciding with their arrival. Some rare sightings could even result in new records for the city, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm among volunteers.
Despite the enthusiasm, the HBA also faces its challenges, particularly in maintaining volunteer motivation over the course of several years, especially given the extensive time commitment required. Ensuring consistency in the quality of data and addressing varying levels of birding expertise among participants are also key hurdles. However, with coordination from experts and clear guidance, the initiative is set to make a lasting impact.

Sriram Reddy of Hyderabad Birding Pals, who is closely involved in the project, shares that over 275 bird species have historically been recorded in Hyderabad, spanning a wide range of habitats, from lakes to university campuses. The HBA aims to track these species and assess whether they are still present, providing an in-depth snapshot of the city's bird populations.

Interested citizens can sign up as volunteers or coordinators for the survey and make a meaningful contribution to this citizen science project by registering at https://forms.gle/Ycp83GCXxTqpxmof6