Discovering Nature’s Symphony: My First Global Big Day Bird Count Experience in the Algarve

On May 10, 2025, I joined 69,510 birders from around the world in celebrating the Global Big Day, an annual event organised by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to promote birdwatching and conservation through citizen science. Together, we submitted 174,488 checklists and identified an astounding 7,941 bird species—a powerful demonstration of what global collaboration can achieve in a single day. https://ebird.org/globalbigday

in Community · 10 Jun 2025, 09:02 · 0 Comments

As a newcomer to birdwatching, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect—but armed with the eBird app and the helpful Merlin Bird ID app, I set out with a curious heart and open ears. My day began just after 7:30 a.m. at Figs on the Funcho, our riverside retreat nestled in the Algarve countryside. The morning air was still and fresh, and the birds were especially vocal, offering an ideal soundtrack to begin the day.

Throughout the day, I continued my observations—an hour after my first outing, again at 2 p.m., and finally around 4 p.m. Some of the birds I identified from our terrace at Figs on the Funcho, while others I heard during a walk along the Via Algarviana trail, as I returned from a market visit in São Bartolomeu de Messines with guests from our cooking holiday.

Using Merlin Bird ID’s sound identification tool, I was able to identify 22 different bird species solely by their calls and songs—each one unique and enchanting. One especially exciting find was the short-toed treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla) https://ebird.org/species/shttre1/, a secretive species not often recorded in this region at this time of year. According to local data, only a handful of sightings had been logged recently, making this acoustic encounter a delightful surprise.

What made the experience even more meaningful was sharing it with our guests, who were previously unaware of the Global Big Day. They were intrigued to learn how everyday birdwatchers can contribute to global research and conservation efforts simply by logging what they hear. They also became instant fans of the Merlin Bird ID app, delighted by its ability to identify birds purely through their songs and calls.

At Figs on the Funcho, birdwatching is more than a leisure activity—it’s part of our broader commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. In partnership with Vita Nativa, we’ve implemented a bird conservation initiative that includes the installation of additional nest boxes to support local bird populations. In 2024, this project achieved a 63 percent occupancy rate, resulting in an estimated 41 chicks born. These tangible outcomes highlight the positive environmental impact of eco-conscious practices.

Our dedication to preserving the natural environment and promoting responsible eco-tourism was recognised when Figs on the Funcho was named a semi-finalist in the Sustainability category at the Algarve Business Awards. Participating in the Global Big Day felt like a natural extension of this mission—deepening our connection with nature and encouraging others to appreciate and protect it.

My full birding checklist has been submitted to eBird and can be viewed here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/365067. It’s rewarding to know that my small contribution is part of a vast global data set that supports vital conservation work, tracking bird populations, migration patterns, and changes in habitat.

Participating in the Global Big Day turned out to be an unexpectedly joyful and educational adventure. I highly encourage others—whether seasoned birders or complete beginners like me—to take part next year.

Nature has a lot to say… all we have to do is listen.

By Cheryl Smith