Ready, set—BIRD! It’s time again to flock together for the season’s biggest day of birding!
Get ready for a spectacular October Big Day (OBD)! This annual event, falling on Saturday, October 10, 2026, coincides with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and is a thrilling celebration of our feathered friends and the vibrant birding community.
At BirdsCaribbean, we eagerly anticipate October Big Day. This massive citizen science event is a wonderful opportunity for us to unite with fellow bird lovers to share in the joy of birdwatching and the beauty of Caribbean wetlands, forests, botanical gardens, and neighborhoods. This is our chance to celebrate Caribbean birds, support science, reconnect with our communities, and strengthen our conservation efforts.
October 10 is truly the moment to puff out our chests and rack up those eBird checklists!
West Indian Whistling-Duck. (Photo by Rondell Smith)
Male Baltimore Oriole (Photo by Daniel W Glenn)
Roseate Tern in flight. (Photo by Karen Gallo)
A pair of Summer Tanagers. Adult males are completely red whereas females can be a rang of colors, from pale dull yellow to brighter orange.
The American Kestrel is a more frequently seen migrant to the region. (Photo by Imran Ashraf)
A handsome Ovenbird spotted on the trail. (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Male Belted Kingfisher (Photo by Chuck Hantis)
Red Knot by John Webster. Red Knot in winter plumage in Barbados. This species has one of the longest migrations of any bird, traveling more than 9,000 mi (14,000 km) from the Arctic to the southern tip of South America each year. Some individuals use Caribbean wetlands as stopover sites on migration.
And there’s more! Global Bird Weekend runs from October 9 to 11, offering even more opportunities to engage and possibly set new world records. Plus ladies, there’s a Women’s Team that anyone, from anywhere, can join!
Last October, nearly 900,000 participants set a new benchmark for collective birding action. 48,000 eBirders collectively reported 2.1 million individual bird observations and made Saturday the first day in October ever to surpass 100,000 checklists in a single day.
With birds facing habitat loss, climate change, and steep population declines, let’s push the boundary even further and make history all over again!
Checklists for conservation
Every checklist submitted gives scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and beyond, real-time, worldwide insights into bird populations, migration patterns, and important habitats that might be at risk. Without the collective effort of birdwatchers like you, gathering such a vast and diverse dataset would be impractical, making your participation essential to understanding and protecting birds in the Caribbean and across the globe.
A wetland in Puerto Rico. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
The information you collect and share helps paint a clearer picture of how bird populations are faring in the face of devastating threats, like habitat loss and climate change. By identifying where birds are thriving or declining, conservationists can make informed decisions about where to focus their efforts, implement protective measures, and advocate for policies that safeguard these species. Ultimately, your observations translate to the protection and survival of birds — but they also form part of your legacy, part of the mark that you chose to make on the world. A legacy of care ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty and diversity of our beloved birds.
Ready to get started?
Hummingbirds flock to a feeder in Grand Case, St. Martin. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
Welcome and we’re so happy you’re considering spending Saturday 10th October with the birds! Who knows, maybe this will be where your birdwatching lore begins? OBD is a citizen science initiative spearheaded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Scientists team up with members of the public, called citizen scientists, to collect data on birds from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 10; or to bird anytime during the weekend of October 9-11 for the Global Bird Weekend.
Data sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? Luckily, it ab-so-lute-ly isn’t. Data here means the checklists of birds you see and hear. Spot a blackbird hopping along your fence? That’s data! Hear a bananaquit tsit tsit tsit-ing in your mango tree? You got it — that’s data too!
If your birding takes you to a wetland, make your checklist count twice for conservation! Be sure to do a shorebird count and select both the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and International Shorebird Survey (ISS) projects on eBird when starting your checklist. More details here.
Black-necked Stilts with chicks, McKinnon’s Pond, Antigua. (Photo by Kendel Angol)
But your data must be submitted via the eBird app or website to count.If you do not already have a free eBird account, it’s easy to sign up — and here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird. The handy mobile app allows you to seamlessly keep and submit lists, in-the-moment, all while you’re out birding — perhaps exploring nearby hotspots. It will even track how far you have walked while watching birds. Remember to submit your eBird checklists before October 13, 2026 to be included in the initial results announcement!
Entering data into eBird. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Some additional tips from the OBD veterans:
Check your checklists: By submitting complete checklists of the birds you see and hear you give scientists a comprehensive understanding of the bird community in your area. Counting birds is easy until you encounter a large flock…of mixed species of birds! Keep calm and check out eBird’s advice on how to count a big flock of birds, multiple flocks, or big groups of mixed species here.
You also want to keep multiple checklists throughout the day. The shorter the duration and distance of your checklist, the more valuable your data becomes. Long checklists that cover large areas make it hard to pinpoint exactly where and when birds were present.
Make connections: Birdwatching can be a peaceful solo activity, like a serene stroll through the forest punctuated by bird sightings. But it’s also a fantastic social experience, providing a great way to meet like-minded friends! And there’s so much to learn from fellow birders — they can help with spotting and identifying birds (especially those tricky warblers), and will even help you navigate the eBird app and submit your very first eBird checklist!
Connect with your local environmental or birding club — there’s a good chance someone is organizing a birding event for October Big Day on your island, and they’d be thrilled to have you join in!
Shanna Challenger, EAG Antigua, teaches the group of first-time birders how to use binoculars.(Photo by Andrew Bowen/EAG)
Don’t wing it: Make a to-pack list and use a backpack. Remember to pack your field guide, stylish and functional BC buff, medicine, water, and food too! If you’re birding in an unfamiliar place, make a trip plan. Be sure to consider where you might park your car, the amount of time you plan to spend birdwatching, how far you want to walk, and tell your friends and family about your plans and where you will be.
Embrace being a beginner birder: If you’re a newbie don’t let anxiety keep you from discovering the wonderful world of birds. Early mornings are perfect for spotting warblers, while raptors soar as the day heats up. Seagulls and shorebirds are ever-present, and you might catch tanagers and bullfinches at their most active during the late afternoon.
Participants practice identifying birds during the CBT training workshop. (Photo by WIRRED)
Show off your bird sightings and let us in on the birding blast!
Don’t forget to share your birding stories and photos with us on social media. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @birdscaribbean and tag us in your posts. If social media isn’t your thing, join our discussion group with over 950 members to share your October Big Day experiences.
If you’re getting excited about soaring into the world of birds, we’d love to remind you that a BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits: you will receive discounts on our products, workshops, and conferences; meet and network with fellow birders, scientists, educators and conservationists across the region; and keep in touch with birding trends and news through our monthly newsletters.
For birdwatchers in Cuba, October isn’t just a month; it’s a celebration of nature, science, and the unbeatable spirit of the birdwatching community. Despite the blackouts and shortages of essential items that come with life on the largest island in the Caribbean, birders across the country united for two magnificent birding extravaganzas—October Big Day and Garrido Biggest Week.
In 2023, Cuban conservationists Yaro Rodríguez and Nils Navarro received a Betty Petersen Conservation Fund grant to expand Cuba’s emerging birdwatching movement. The goal was to improve the understanding of Cuba’s birdlife through citizen science.
Their project provided community leaders with binoculars and training to identify and monitor local bird populations and report data through eBird Caribbean. These trained leaders then establish birdwatching clubs in their communities, raising awareness across Cuba about the importance of protecting birds and their habitats. Yaro and Nils’ project continues to grow, with birdwatching clubs across the country now actively engaging in ongoing bird monitoring and conservation efforts.
Yaro Rodríguez.
Nils Navarro.
In addition to several locally initiated birding celebrations throughout the year, birders across the island also participate in two major global citizen science programs: Global Big Day in May and October Big Day in October. Team Cuba is proudly known as the Gundlach Team, in honor of the German-Cuban naturalist and taxonomist Johannes Christoph Gundlach. Yaro details the how the Cuban birding community came together in October to celebrate and protect Cuba’s incredible birdlife.
Gundlach’s Hawk (Photo by Michael J. Good)
Passion and perseverance in Cuba’s birdwatching community
October saw the Gundlach Team remaining steadfast in their exemplary efforts. From dawn onward, birdwatchers from across Cuba ventured into the field, ready to discover and record the country’s rich avian diversity. Notable participants included Yanosky, Manuel Aroche, Ricardo Concepción, Nicolás Díaz, and Marleny Roque, who started their day at first light!
The national bird of Cuba – the Cuban Trogon. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
What makes these events special is not only the number of birds recorded—but the personal stories behind each effort. For some, it was a day of surprises as they encountered new “lifers” to add to their personal lists, while for others, it was an opportunity to improve their standing in the Cuba Big Year 2024. Every list submitted to eBird helped to build a more comprehensive picture of the biodiversity on our island.
Omar Labrada, from Las Tunas, birdwatched with his daughters during October Big Day.
Yusneyda Alarcon and Manuel Lopez from Gramma crossing a mangrove channel during October Big Day.
The community’s dedication was particularly inspiring. Birdwatchers like Edwin Ruiz and Maite Cordoví, despite facing personal challenges, joined in from their windows, showing that a love for birds knows no bounds. Others, like Homar Labrada and his son Marcos, used the occasion to spend the day together, passing down a respect and fascination for birds to the next generation.
Against the odds: The Cuban reality
Birdwatching in Cuba presents unique challenges. One of the biggest challenge our birdwatching community faces is transportation, both to easily accessible areas and to new regions we want to explore. Compounded by fuel shortages, this significantly limits our ability to travel, making each trip a major logistical challenge. On top of that, we deal with frequent power outages and the ongoing stress of meeting our families’ basic needs. Despite these daily struggles and economic difficulties affecting everything from transportation to food, our birdwatching community remains determined, active, and enthusiastic.
Viñales Valley, Cuba.
Every activity we promote and every event in which birdwatchers participate is a meaningful achievement, reflecting the love and commitment we have for Cuban birds and future generations.
October Big Day in Cuba: An unmatched success
On October 12, 63 eBirders, across 15 provinces, with the exception of the Isle of Youth, recorded 186 bird species within just 24 hours. This resulted in 140 eBird checklists, enriched with 96 photos and 31 song recordings. These data not only strengthen the global knowledge base on birds but also underscore Cuba’s commitment to conservation and citizen science.
Among notable individual achievements, Manuel López Salcedo from Las Tunas led the count with 96 species observed across 11 lists. On the women’s side, Yuzaima Ortiz from Ciego de Ávila secured the title of top female lister with a total of 87 species observed.
Members of the formidable Gundlach Team.
This local success was part of a larger global achievement. Over 750,000 birdwatchers from 201 countries participated in this historic day of citizen science, documenting over 7,800 species in just 24 hours. This global initiative highlights the importance of birdwatching as a conservation tool. Each checklist, photo, and recording contributes essential data for science and biodiversity protection.
Garrido Biggest Week: A tribute to a legend
Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar and ongoing power outages, the Cuban birdwatching community honored Orlando H. Garrido, the country’s most influential ornithologist, who passed away in June 2024. In a fitting tribute to Cuba’s jewel of Caribbean ornithology, the first edition of Garrido’s Biggest Week was held from October 21 to 27. Created to honor Garrido’s legacy and encourage birdwatching during the autumn migration, the event coincided with the dates when Garrido himself would go into the field to record new species.
Orlando Garrido was a tireless explorer of the Cuban archipelago. Garrido has to his credit the discovery of four mammalian taxa and the description of: 58 insects, 21 birds, 37 reptiles. 78 new records among birds, reptiles, and fish, and 23 taxa have been dedicated to him, and in total he has 298 publications. (Photo by Susan Jacobson)
Orlando Garrido regales our group with stories of his Cuban adventures as a biologist and tennis pro! BirdsCaribean Cuba Bird Tour (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Orlando Garrido, Nils Navarro and Herb Raffaele at the 21st International Conference of BirdsCaribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017. Orlando was awarded a BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award.
Birdwatchers from all provinces participated enthusiastically, recording 183 species and capturing a total of 76 photographs. José Alberto Pérez Echavarría was the winner in this friendly competition, observing 108 species throughout the event.
This week featured some serendipitous sightings, among them was the first record in Cuba of a Lawrence’s Warbler, an important discovery for the island’s avifauna!
An adult male Lawrence’s Warbler. (Photo by Jeff Hapeman ML604876071)
Additionally, the first documented case of xanthochroism in a member of the Todidae family, the Cuban Tody, was observed—this rare phenomenon gives affected birds an unusual yellow coloration. Both discoveries will be part of an upcoming article, expanding on these unique observations in the region.
The Garrido Biggest Week will become an annual tradition. The community also organizes other thematic weeks to honor prominent figures in Cuban ornithology, such as Charles Ramsden Week in December, José H. Bauzá Week in April, and Juan Gundlach Week in August.
These activities are essential for keeping the birdwatching community active year-round, beyond major events like October Big Day and Global Big Day, while also enriching eBird during periods of lower tourist activity in the country. Through these efforts, the Cuban birdwatching community continues to advance the exploration and conservation of the island’s biodiversity, even in the face of adversity.
The power of citizen science
October Big Day and Garrido Biggest Week are also reminders of the value of our birds and the challenges they face. Cuban birdlife, like that around the world, faces constant pressures from habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. In addition, illegal trapping is a huge threat to endemic, resident and migratory birds in Cuba. Through citizen science and unwavering commitment, each Cuban birdwatcher has the opportunity to contribute to conservation and make a difference.
Cuban Parakeets in flight (Photo by Garry Donaldson)
Cuban voices from the field
To conclude, here are some stories that capture the passion and challenges of these unforgettable days:
“When I arrived, the battery pack I’d prepared for my camera failed, so I used my binoculars to do digiscoping and identify birds in tricky situations. Later, in the forest, as we returned to the reservoir embankment, Wency played a mix of bird calls, and we saw several warbler species. Surprise! Among them was a Worm-eating Warbler, a lifer for me. The excitement was indescribable; everyone pointed their cameras and managed to capture the moment.” – Freddy Ricardo, Holguín Birdwatching Club
“I had a lifer: White-eyed Vireo, though without a photo. But I managed to photograph an Osprey for the first time—81 shots as I got closer with digiscoping! I was thrilled to capture this species.” – Manuel Aroche, Granma Birdwatching Club
“A friend and I shared a lifer, a Philadelphia Vireo! The second record of this species in Ciego de Ávila, and during the week we honor Garrido! It couldn’t be better.” – Nicolás Díaz, Ciego de Ávila Birdwatching Club
“I want to dedicate my participation in the October Global Big Day to my dad, who recently passed away. I owe him my love and respect for nature.” – Ricardo Sánchez, Artemisa Birdwatching Club
These anecdotes reflect the dedication and love for birds that motivate our community to keep moving forward. In every field outing, every photo, and every checklist submitted, there lies a collective commitment to preserving Cuba’s rich biodiversity for future generations.
Special Thanks
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Betty Petersen Conservation Fund, managed by BirdsCaribbean, for their generous support, and to the team at BirdsCaribbean, especially Lisa Sorenson and Adrianne Tossas, for their unwavering dedication to the birdwatching community in Cuba.
Yaroddys Rodríguez, known as Yaro, is a self-taught ornithologist dedicated to the study and conservation of Cuban birds. Mentored by experts like Orlando H. Garrido and James Wiley, he began publishing scientific articles at a young age. Yaro founded the Cuban Birdwatchers Facebook group, now with over 30,000 members, and promotes the use of eBird for citizen science. He is also a member of the Cuban Zoological Society, BirdsCaribbean, and the Ariguanabo Foundation.
Los Observadores de Aves Cubanos Vuelan alto en Octubre: Aves, Ciencia y el Espíritu de Comunidad
Para los observadores de aves en Cuba, octubre no es solo un mes, es una celebración de la naturaleza, la ciencia y el inquebrantable espíritu de la comunidad de observación de aves. A pesar de los apagones y la escasez de productos esenciales que acompañan la vida en la isla más grande del Caribe, los observadores de aves de todo el país se unieron para dos magníficas extravagancias ornitológicas: el Gran Día de Aves de Octubre y la Semana Más Grande de Garrido.
En 2023, los conservacionistas cubanos Yaro Rodríguez y Nils Navarro recibieron una beca del Fondo de Conservación Betty Petersen para expandir el emergente movimiento de observación de aves en Cuba. El objetivo era mejorar la comprensión de la fauna aviar cubana a través de la ciencia ciudadana.
Su proyecto proporcionó binoculares y capacitación a los líderes comunitarios para identificar y monitorear las poblaciones locales de aves, reportando los datos a través de eBird Caribe. Estos líderes capacitados establecieron clubes de observación de aves en sus comunidades, generando conciencia en toda Cuba sobre la importancia de proteger a las aves y sus hábitats. El proyecto de Yaro y Nils sigue creciendo, con clubes de observadores de aves en todo el país que participan activamente en esfuerzos de monitoreo y conservación de aves.
Yaro Rodríguez.
Nils Navarro.
Además de varias celebraciones locales de observación de aves a lo largo del año, los observadores de aves de la isla también se reúnen para participar en dos grandes programas globales de ciencia ciudadana: Global Big Day en mayo y Gran Día de Aves de Octubre en octubre. El equipo de Cuba es conocido con orgullo como el Equipo Gundlach, en honor al naturalista y taxónomo germano-cubano Johannes Christoph Gundlach. Yaro detalla cómo la comunidad de observadores de aves cubanos se unió en octubre para celebrar y proteger la increíble fauna aviar de Cuba.
Gundlach’s Hawk (Foto de Michael J. Good)
Pasión y perseverancia en la comunidad de observadores de aves de Cuba
En octubre, el Equipo Gundlach se mantuvo firme en sus esfuerzos ejemplares. Desde el amanecer, los observadores de aves de toda Cuba se aventuraron al campo, listos para descubrir y registrar la rica diversidad aviar del país. Entre los participantes más destacados se encontraban Yanosky, Manuel Aroche, Ricardo Concepción, Nicolás Díaz y Marleny Roque, ¡quienes comenzaron su jornada al primer rayo de luz!
El ave nacional de Cuba conocida localmente como ‘tocororo.’ (Foto de Rafy Rodriguez)
Lo que hace especiales estos eventos no es solo la cantidad de aves registradas, sino las historias personales detrás de cada esfuerzo. Para algunos, fue un día lleno de sorpresas al encontrar nuevas especies “lifers” para agregar a sus listas personales, mientras que para otros, fue una oportunidad para mejorar su posición en el Cuba Big Year 2024. Cada lista enviada a eBird ayudó a construir una imagen más completa de la biodiversidad en nuestra isla.
Omar Labrada de Las Tunas observando aves con sus hijas.
Yusneyda Alarcón y Manuel López, de Gramma, cruzando un canal de manglares durante el Big Day de octubre.
La dedicación de la comunidad fue particularmente inspiradora. Observadores de aves como Edwin Ruiz y Maite Cordoví, a pesar de enfrentar desafíos personales, se unieron desde sus ventanas, demostrando que el amor por las aves no tiene límites. Otros, como Homar Labrada y su hijo Marcos, aprovecharon la ocasión para pasar el día juntos, transmitiendo el respeto y la fascinación por las aves a la próxima generación.
Contra viento y marea: La realidad cubana
La observación de aves en Cuba presenta desafíos únicos, centrados principalmente en el transporte. El mayor reto que enfrenta nuestra comunidad de observadores de aves es el transporte, tanto hacia áreas de fácil acceso como hacia nuevas regiones que queremos explorar. Aumentado por la escasez de combustible, esto limita significativamente nuestra capacidad para viajar, haciendo de cada viaje un gran desafío logístico. Además, lidiamos con frecuentes apagones y el estrés constante de satisfacer las necesidades básicas de nuestras familias. A pesar de estas luchas diarias y dificultades económicas que afectan desde el transporte hasta la comida, nuestra comunidad de observadores de aves sigue siendo determinada, activa y entusiasta.
Viñales Valley, Cuba.
Cada actividad que promovemos y cada evento en el que los observadores de aves participan es un logro significativo, reflejando el amor y compromiso que tenemos por las aves cubanas y las generaciones futuras.
Gran Día de Aves de Octubre en Cuba: Un éxito inigualable
El 12 de octubre, 63 eBirders de 15 provincias, con excepción de la Isla de la Juventud, registraron 186 especies de aves en tan solo 24 horas. Esto resultó en 140 listas de eBird, enriquecidas con 96 fotos y 31 grabaciones de cantos. Estos datos no solo fortalecen la base de conocimiento global sobre las aves, sino que también subrayan el compromiso de Cuba con la conservación y la ciencia ciudadana.
Miembros del formidable Equipo Gundlach.
Entre los logros individuales más destacados, Manuel López Salcedo de Las Tunas lideró el conteo con 96 especies observadas en 11 listas. Por parte de las mujeres, Yuzaima Ortiz de Ciego de Ávila se coronó como la mejor observadora femenina con un total de 87 especies observadas.
Este éxito local fue parte de un logro global mayor. Más de 750,000 observadores de aves de 201 países participaron en este histórico día de ciencia ciudadana, documentando más de 7,800 especies en solo 24 horas. Esta iniciativa global resalta la importancia de la observación de aves como una herramienta de conservación. Cada lista, foto y grabación contribuye con datos esenciales para la ciencia y la protección de la biodiversidad.
Semana Más Grande de Garrido: Un tributo a una leyenda
A pesar de la devastación causada por el huracán Oscar y los continuos apagones, la comunidad de observadores de aves de Cuba rindió homenaje a Orlando H. Garrido, el ornitólogo más influyente del país, quien falleció en junio de 2024. En un merecido tributo a la joya de la ornitología caribeña de Cuba, se celebró la primera edición de la Semana Más Grande de Garrido del 21 al 27 de octubre. Creada para honrar el legado de Garrido y fomentar la observación de aves durante la migración de otoño, el evento coincidió con las fechas en las que Garrido mismo salía al campo a reportar nuevas especies.
Orlando Garrido fue un incansable explorador del archipiélago cubano. Garrido tiene en su haber el descubrimiento de cuatro taxones de mamíferos y la descripción de: 58 insectos, 21 aves, 37 reptiles. Se le han dedicado 78 nuevos registros entre aves, reptiles y peces, y 23 taxones, y en total tiene 298 publicaciones. (Foto de Susan Jacobson)
Orlando Garrido deleita a nuestro grupo con historias de sus aventuras cubanas como biólogo y tenista profesional. BirdsCaribean Cuba Bird Tour (Foto de Lisa Sorenson)
Orlando Garrido, Nils Navarro y Herb Raffaele en la 21 Conferencia Internacional de BirdsCaribbean, en Topes de Collantes, Cuba, julio, 2017. Orlando recibió el premio BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award.
Los observadores de aves de todas las provincias participaron con entusiasmo, registrando 183 especies y capturando un total de 76 fotografías. José Alberto Pérez Echavarría fue el ganador de esta competencia amistosa, observando 108 especies a lo largo del evento.
Esta semana presentó algunas observaciones afortunadas, entre ellas el primer registro en Cuba de un Bijirita de Lawrence, ¡un descubrimiento importante para la avifauna de la isla!
Un macho adulto de Bijirita de Lawrence. (Foto de Jeff Hapeman ML604876071)
Además, se observó el primer caso documentado de xantocromismo en un miembro de la familia Todidae, el Cuban Tody (Cartacuba o Pedorrera), un fenómeno raro que da a los aves afectadas una coloración amarilla inusual. Ambos descubrimientos formarán parte de un artículo próximo, ampliando estas observaciones únicas en la región.
La Semana Más Grande de Garrido se convertirá en una tradición anual. La comunidad también organiza otras semanas temáticas para honrar figuras prominentes de la ornitología cubana, como la Semana Charles Ramsden en diciembre, la Semana José H. Bauzá en abril y la Semana Juan Gundlach en agosto.
Estas actividades son esenciales para mantener activa a la comunidad de observadores de aves durante todo el año, más allá de grandes eventos como el Gran Día de Aves de Octubre y el Global Big Day, mientras enriquecen a eBird durante períodos de menor actividad turística en el país. A través de estos esfuerzos, la comunidad de observadores de aves de Cuba sigue avanzando en la exploración y conservación de la biodiversidad de la isla, incluso ante la adversidad.
El poder de la ciencia ciudadana
El Gran Día de Aves de Octubre y la Semana Más Grande de Garrido también son recordatorios del valor de nuestras aves y los desafíos que enfrentan. La fauna aviar cubana, al igual que la del resto del mundo, enfrenta presiones constantes por la pérdida de hábitats, el cambio climático y la actividad humana. Además, la captura ilegal es una gran amenaza para las aves endémicas, residentes y migratorias en Cuba. A través de la ciencia ciudadana y un compromiso inquebrantable, cada observador de aves cubano tiene la oportunidad de contribuir a la conservación y marcar la diferencia.
Catey en vuelo. (Foto de Garry Donaldson)
Voces cubanas desde el campo
Para concluir, aquí hay algunas historias que capturan la pasión y los desafíos de estos días inolvidables:
“Cuando llegué, el pack de baterías que había preparado para mi cámara falló, así que usé mis binoculares para hacer digiscoping e identificar aves en situaciones difíciles. Más tarde, en el bosque, mientras regresábamos al dique del embalse, Wency puso una mezcla de cantos de aves y vimos varias especies de warblers. ¡Sorpresa! Entre ellas estaba un Worm-eating Warbler (Bijirita gusanera), un lifer para mí. ¡La emoción fue indescriptible! Todos apuntaron sus cámaras y lograron capturar el momento.” – Freddy Ricardo, Club de Observación de Aves Holguín
“Tuve un lifer: Vireo de ojos blancos, aunque sin foto. Pero logré fotografiar un Águila pescadora por primera vez—¡81 fotos mientras me acercaba con digiscoping! Estaba emocionado de capturar esta especie.” – Manuel Aroche, Club de Observación de Aves Granma
“Un amigo y yo compartimos un lifer, ¡un Vireo de Filadelfia! ¡El segundo registro de esta especie en Ciego de Ávila, y durante la semana que honramos a Garrido! ¡No podría ser mejor!” – Nicolás Díaz, Club de Observación de Aves Ciego de Ávila
“Quiero dedicar mi participación en el Global Big Day de Octubre a mi papá, quien falleció recientemente. Le debo mi amor y respeto por la naturaleza.” – Ricardo Sánchez, Club de Observación de Aves Artemisa
Estas anécdotas reflejan la dedicación y el amor por las aves que motiva a nuestra comunidad a seguir adelante. En cada salida al campo, cada foto y cada lista enviada, hay un compromiso colectivo para preservar la rica biodiversidad de Cuba para las futuras generaciones.
Agradecimientos especiales
Queremos extender nuestro más sincero agradecimiento al Fondo de Conservación Betty Petersen, gestionado por BirdsCaribbean, por su generoso apoyo, y al equipo de BirdsCaribbean, especialmente a Lisa Sorenson y Adrianne Tossas, por su dedicación incansable a la comunidad de observadores de aves en Cuba.
Yaroddys Rodríguez, conocido como Yaro, es un ornitólogo autodidacta dedicado al estudio y conservación de las aves cubanas. Mentoreado por expertos como Orlando H. Garrido y James Wiley, comenzó a publicar artículos científicos desde joven. Yaro fundó el grupo de Observadores de Aves de Cuba en Facebook, ahora con más de 30,000 miembros, y promueve el uso de eBird para la ciencia ciudadana. También es miembro de la Sociedad Zoológica de Cuba, BirdsCaribbean y la Fundación Ariguanabo.
Ready, set—BIRD! It’s time to flock together for the season’s biggest day of birding!
A male Magnolia Warbler in breeding plumage, with his bright yellow underparts and heavy black streaking, forming a necklace band on its upper breast.
Get ready for a spectacular October Big Day! This annual event, falling on Saturday, October 12, 2024, coincides with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and is a thrilling celebration of our feathered friends and the vibrant birding community.
At BirdsCaribbean, we eagerly anticipate October Big Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to unite with fellow bird lovers to share in the joy of birdwatching and the beauty of Caribbean wetlands, forests, botanical gardens, and neighborhoods. This is our chance to celebrate our passion for birds, support science, and strengthen our conservation efforts. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning from your balcony or heading to a prime birding hotspot with your birding crew, October 12 is your moment to puff out your chest and rack up those eBird checklists!
And there’s more! Global Bird Weekend runs from October 11 to 13, offering even more opportunities to engage and possibly set new world records. Last year, we saw record-breaking participation during Global Bird Weekend—36,332 people from 191 countries submitted 83,735 checklists with eBird, and we’re aiming to surpass that achievement this year. Let’s make birdwatching history together!
Where are the birds, and what are they doing?
Dive into the excitement—track the birds, observe their behaviors, and discover their favorite spots. Early mornings are perfect for spotting warblers, while raptors soar as the day heats up. Seagulls and shorebirds are ever-present, and you might catch tanagers and bullfinches at their most active.
Make your birding count—submit & share your data!
Participating is easy with the essential tool, eBird, where you should record all the birds you see (and even hear) on Saturday 14th October via the eBird website or mobile app. If you’re in the Caribbean, be sure to choose the eBird Caribbean portal in your eBird app settings on mobile. If you do not already have one, it’s easy to sign up for a free eBird account—here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird.
Birders should aim to spot as many birds as they can from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 12; or bird anytime during the weekend of October 11-13 for the Global Bird Weekend. The handy mobile app allows you to keep and submit lists while you’re still out birding, perhaps exploring nearby hotspots. It will even track how far you have walked while watching birds. Remember to submit eBird checklists before October 15, 2024 to be included in the initial results announcement!
Make connections: Birdwatching can be a peaceful solo activity, like a serene stroll through the forest punctuated by bird sightings. But it’s also a fantastic social experience, and there’s so much to learn from fellow birders. They can help with spotting and identifying birds. Connect with your local environmental or birding club—there’s a good chance someone is organizing a birding event for October Big Day on your island, and they’d be thrilled to have you join in!
Don’t wing it: Make a to-pack list and use a backpack. Remember to pack your field guide, stylish and functional BC buff, medicine, water, and food too! If you’re birding in an unfamiliar place, make a trip plan. Be sure to consider where you might park your car, the amount of time you plan to spend birdwatching, how far you want to walk, and tell your friends and family about your plans and where you will be.
Embrace being a beginner birder: If you’re a newbie don’t let anxiety keep you from discovering the wonderful world of birds. Birding groups love it when new members join their flock; they will share their scopes and field guides and work with you to identify the birds you see. They’ll even help you navigate the eBird app and submit your very first eBird checklist!
Find your flock! Birding in a group can be rewarding and fun. (Photo by Edward Hernandez Lara)
Show off your bird sightings and let us in on the birding blast!
Don’t forget to share your birding stories and photos with us on social media. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram @birdscaribbean and tag us in your posts. If social media isn’t your thing, join our discussion group with over 950 members to share your October Big Day experiences.
May we remind you that BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits; you will receive discounts on our products, workshops, and conferences; meet and network with fellow birders, scientists, educators and conservationists across the region; and keep in touch with birding trends and news through our monthly newsletters (free sign-up here). Join us today to help protect Caribbean birds and their habitats!
Let’s make October Big Day 2024 unforgettable. Have a blast, remember to stay hydrated, and tag @BirdsCaribbean in all your birding adventures. We can’t wait to see the incredible migratory birds that have arrived in the Caribbean!
Ready, set—BIRD! It’s time again to flock together for the season’s biggest day of birding!
