Mangaluru: St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in Mangaluru and Kotekar Beeri came alive with birdwatchers from February 14th to 17th as they participated in the global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) through the Campus Bird Count (CBC). Students, faculty, and bird enthusiasts took part as citizen scientists, equipped with cameras, binoculars, and notebooks, to document the diverse birdlife on campus.
The four-day count revealed a rich variety of species. The Mangaluru campus, spread across 37 acres, recorded 31 species, while the 17-acre AIMIT campus in Kotekar Beeri saw an impressive 45 species. Common sightings included greater racket-tailed drongos, common mynas, rock pigeons, and the vibrant Indian golden oriole.
The CBC, coordinated by Bird Count India and eBIRD, turns campuses into hubs for avian research, contributing valuable data to the GBBC. Notable rarities at the AIMIT campus included the Serpent eagle, Black-naped monarch, and Nilgiri flowerpecker, while large birds of prey like black and brahminy kites soared overhead.
St. Aloysius College has been a part of the CBC since 2018. The 2025 count was organized by the Department of Zoology, led by Assistant Professors Savia D’Souza and Kiran Vati K, along with Dr. Hemachandra, Dr. Hariprasad, and Glavin Rodrigues. Twenty-five students and alumni, including Shlaghana Jain, Mrinal, and Reginald, contributed to this successful citizen science event, highlighting the vital role of urban green spaces in avian conservation.