On May 8, 2021, friends of Grassland Bird Trust (GBT) gathered at Hicks Orchard to participate in Global Big Day, a worldwide event where bird-lovers reported bird observations to eBird during the peak of spring bird migration.
Our event was just one of many that contributed to a world-record-setting day! There were 51,800 people spanning 192 countries who reported on 7,234 species in a single day according to eBird. Of those numbers, 63 bird species were spotted by our group of 70 at Hicks Orchard plus those reported by volunteer Dan Albano from GBT’s conserved properties in the grasslands.
Along with birdwatching at Hicks Orchard, there was a live Bird of Prey Program, donuts, and cider, plus we also raised $5,000 for Grassland Bird Trust! The money raised will help us with our next land acquisition as well as our efforts to become accredited by the LTA.
Sightings at Hicks Orchard Reported to eBird
Global Big Day is an event organized by eBird. eBird believes in citizen science and the importance of every individual birdwatcher’s unique experience and knowledge. They can help collect information about bird species to inform data-driven initiatives in science, conservation, and education. By participating in this event, attendees at Hicks Orchard became part of the world’s largest birding community. Here are just a few of the birds recorded at Hicks Orchard on May 8:
- Canada goose
- Downy woodpecker
- Hairy woodpecker
- Mallard
- Red-bellied woodpecker
- Red-tailed hawk
- Ruby-throated hummingbird
- Turkey vulture
- Yellow-bellied sapsucker
- Northern flicker
- Eastern phoebe
- Eastern kingbird
- Warbling vireo
- Blue jay
- Common raven
- Tufted titmouse
- Barn swallow
- White breasted nuthatch
- European starling
- Gray catbird
- Eastern bluebird
- Veery
- American robin
- House sparrow
- Field sparrow
- White-throated sparrow
- Song sparrow
- Eastern towhee
- Baltimore oriole
- Red-winged blackbird
- Ovenbird
- Blue-winged warbler
- Black-and-white warbler
- Common yellowthroat
- American redstart
- Magnolia warbler
- Chestnut-sided warbler
- Black-throated green warbler
- Northern cardinal
- Rose-breasted grosbeak
Special Thanks to Our Hosts, Sponsors, and Supporters
Thank you to our hosts at Hicks Orchard for welcoming our bird-loving community to their orchard. We look forward to partnering with them again very soon to bring more events to our birding community.
A special shout out to our sponsor, Eden Renewables. Eden Renewables provides low-cost natural power to communities across New York. Based in Troy, Eden is currently developing pollinator-friendly community solar farms using a holistic approach that ensures the people living and working nearby receive the full benefits of locally generated, clean power, and the chance to save money on their electricity bills.
Special thanks to IP Foundation for your ongoing support of GBT.