Global Big Day to take place this weekend

The latest Global Big Day takes place this Saturday [8 May], in which birders across the globe will attempt to record as many of the world's species as possible in a single day.

Anyone can take part in the event, and you can bird individually or as a team. The event aims to encourage as many birders as possible from across the globe to take part, and Global Birding founder, Tim Appleton, took to Twitter on 28 April to announce that participants had already registered for the event from 100 countries. Those taking part should record their sightings using eBird (an app is available for iOS and Android).

The event, which is organised by Global Birding in association with eBird & Swarovski Optik, is supporting BirdLife International and its Flight for Survival initiative. Allcomers are encouraged to fundraise for and donate to this cause to support migratory birds worldwide.

Global Big Day is aiming to raise as much money as possible to support the world's migratory birds (Gordon Speirs).

Global Big Day also coincides with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) organized by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) & Environment for the Americas (EFTA), and is dedicated to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

While you're out birding on the day, you are encouraged to share any updates on your progress, including sightings, using the #globalbirding hashtag.

Find out more about Global Bird Weekend, including registration, submitting sightings and fundraising/donating at globalbirding.org.