Global Big Day Observed in Belize!
May ninth is birding’s biggest day around the world. It is called Global Big Day which is an annual celebration of birds around you. While the current state of emergency limits movement, birding enthusiasts are not able to participate this year as they usually would this. But despite restrictions, birders in Belize will be up at the crack of dawn to check in with the birds in and around where they live. Local birding expert, Roni Martinez says if you are looking for something to do this Saturday, you can also join in right from your backyards.
Roni Martinez, Tour Guide & Birding Expert
“In essence, why we do Global Big Day, we want to get a snapshot of where birds are for that one day and this is like a global snapshot. It helps us because we know for example where migratory birds are and the route they are following. But we try to report as many different species as possible, so we are always looking out and listening out for calls and everything in order to maximize or to get the maximum amount of birds. Some of my friends in Belize City who really can’t use outside of the city they will just do the global big day right from their backyard. So they will probably get up very early and using the E-BIRD app they will record all the urban birds.”
Roni Martinez
Andrea Polanco
“For those interested what should they do tomorrow? What is your recommendation?”
Roni Martinez
“My first recommendation right now is that they should go and check out the Belize birding network facebook page. We gave a really neat introduction on what Global Big Day is and an introduction to E-bird, the two main things you need to know for tomorrow. E-Bird is very easy to use. It is an app that you download for free on tablet or phone and you can enter your sightings online using the e-bird.org website. The very basic equipment you need, binoculars of course. But if you don’t have binoculars, many birds that come into your yard or area, they are highly visible and vocal especially right now that it is part of the breeding season. So, they are constantly singing and vocalizing. But maybe also some bird books that can help people to identify birds in their back yard. There is also a really good and free app called Merlin. You go to the apple or play store and you download it and there are packs for each country; there is a whole pack for Belize.”
If you are interested in birding and the Global Big Day, you can join the Belize Birding Network on Facebook.
