Navsari Agriculture University records highest number of bird species

The campus with the highest bird diversity in Gujarat this year was the Navsari Agricultural University which recorded 56 species of birds as part of the Campus Bird Count (CBC).

The CBC  is part of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) and is organised by Cornell University and the Audubon Society in the US, while in India it is coordinated by  Bird Count India. It was organised from February 16 to 19 this year.

It should be noted that 231 campuses participated across 21 states/union territories in the country with Madhya Pradesh having the highest number of campuses registered at 37. Gujarat had only 8 campuses participating this year compared 29 campuses last year.

GMERS college recorded highest number of bird species — 47 — from Gujarat in the CBC 2017.

In Ahmedabad the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) recorded most species at 41 followed by Bhavan’s College at 30 and Sundarvan at 28.

Overall Gujarat ranked seventh in terms of number of bird species recorded during the GBBC this year. The state recorded 295 species while the highest number of bird species was recorded from Uttarakhand at 363.

Across the world, India came fourth in number of bird species at 781. The top slot went to Colombia which recorded 907 species, followed by Ecuador at 872 and Brazil at 841.

The Navsari Agriculture University  joined the CBC only after a visit to CEE and had an experience of bird watching.

“Navsari Agriculture university students had visited CEE on Feb 16, the first day of the CBC, on which day they were taken out for birdwatching on the CEE campus and were encouraged to register their campus which they did after going back,” said Kedar Champhekar.

GBBC taps into the potential of huge network of birdwatchers spread across the country to gather as much data on birds in a short time as possible.

HOW THE OTHERS COUNTED 

• In Ahmedabad the Centre for Environment Education recorded most species at 41.
   
• This was followed by Bhavan’s College which counted 30 species, and then Sundarvan (28). 
   
• GMERS college recorded highest number of bird species (47) from Gujarat in the CBC 2017.