Bird Enthusiasts: Dripping Springs participates in October Big Day

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS – Bird enthusiasts from all over Dripping Springs will gather at various parks the morning of Saturday, October 9, for “October Big Day,” where participants will assist in spotting/counting birds, learn about bird identification, and the use of the eBird app.

Big Days are 24-hour opportunities to celebrate birds near and far. This local bird count is part of the second-ever Global Bird Weekend and celebrates World Migratory Bird Day. Big Day 2021 hopes to set a new record for birding.

The local bird counts will be led by local biologists and HC Master Naturalists from 8-10 am at Charro Ranch Park, Founders Memorial Park, Milton Reimers Ranch Park, and Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Space is limited to 10 people per park and 20 people at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The purpose of the local park events is to help in the bird count and to also provide our community with bird education, awareness, and conservation.

Those wishing to participate can sign up via the following links:

• Charro Ranch – Meet at Parking Lot
  Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49adac29a2f4c70-october2
  …
• Ranch Park Sign up (2 groups) – Meet at Bird Blind
  Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49adac29a2f4c70-october and https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49adac29a2f4c70-october1
  …
• Founders Memorial Park – Meet at Pound House Entrance Parking
  Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49adac29a2f4c70-october4
  …
• Reimers Ranch Park (Travis County) – Meet at Climber’s Pavilion
  Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49adac29a2f4c70-october3

If you can’t make it to one of the local parks, wherever you are on October 9, take a few minutes to join the world of birding on October Big Day. Be a part of the global team and help set a new record for birding.

Here’s how to participate if you cannot make it to one of the local parks:

Get an eBird Account

eBird is a worldwide bird checklist program used by millions of birders. It helps compile everyone’s sightings into a single massive October Big Day list—while at the same time collecting the data for scientists to use to better understand birds. Sign up here: ebird.org/news/october-Big-day-2021. It’s 100% free.

Watch Birds on October 9

It’s that simple! You don’t need to be a bird expert or go out all day long. You can report birds from anywhere in the world—even 10 minutes in your backyard will help.

Enter What You See and Hear on eBird

You can enter your sightings via the free eBird Mobile app. The app allows you to keep and submit lists while you’re still out birding, explore nearby Hotspots, and will even track how far you’ve walked so you can focus on watching birds.

Watch the Sightings Roll In

During the day, participants can keep an eye on how the lists are growing in different parts of the world. Follow along with reports from more than 160 countries.

Last year on October Big Day, more than 32,000 participants submitted 80,400 checklists with 7,128 species. This year’s observations will help better understand global bird populations. You can learn more about the GLOBAL Big Day here: https://ebird.org/news/october-Big-day-2021

For any questions regarding the LOCAL Big Day, call 512-894-2400 or reach out to Paul Fushille or Amanda Peña Bustillos with the Dripping Springs Birding Club at dsbirdingclub@gmail.com.