3 min readShimlaMay 10, 2026 10:29 PM IST
As many as 208 bird species including the migratory and residential birds were recorded during a day long bird watching and the Himalayan Bird Count-2026 event held across 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh, the results of which were announced Sunday. The day-long event was held on Saturday.
Birders in Kangra district recorded the highest bird species — 126 out of 208. Meanwhile, the event also witnessed the highest participation of birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts as 1,500 birders participated in the event.
The event also witnessed the highest-ever public participation since the Himalayan Bird Count was launched in 2024. More than 1,500 birdwatchers, naturalists, students, photographers, forest officials and nature enthusiasts took part in the exercise conducted through the global eBird platform.
Officials said the 2026-edition marked the first time that all 12 districts of the state participated in the event, making it the most extensive bird documentation exercise conducted in the state so far.
The PCCF (Wildlife) and the Chief Wildlife Warden, R Lalnunsanga, termed the results encouraging. He said the increasing number of bird species being recorded reflected growing awareness and participation in biodiversity conservation activities.
“The recording of 208 bird species through 146 bird checklists is the highest since the Bird Count was started in the state in 2024. The results are extremely encouraging. Ornithologists also observed that many bird species were actively breeding during this time of the year, which experts describe as a positive indicator for the health of Himalayan ecosystems and bird populations.”
Only eight districts had participated in the event in 2024 and 2025, according to the data. During the inaugural edition in 2024, around 166 bird species were recorded through 78 checklists.
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In 2025, the number increased to 183 with the same number of checklists.
However, in 2026, the count rose sharply to 208 bird species documented through 146 checklists spread across all districts.
Mandi recorded the highest participation with 37 checklists submitted during the event, followed by Kinnaur with 31 checklists.
Regional Bird Count India coordinator Santosh Thakur said the event’s expansion and increased awareness among people had contributed significantly to the record participation and species count.
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“The highest participation and increase in the ambit of the event are among the main reasons why the highest number of bird species was recorded this time. Two districts — Hamirpur and Una — participated in the event for the first time and showed encouraging involvement.”
He also said continuous awareness campaigns among educational institutions, local communities, birding groups and nature enthusiasts had helped create greater interest in bird conservation and nature-based activities across the state.
Thakur said initiatives such as the Himalayan Bird Count generate valuable long-term scientific data that can help researchers understand bird population trends and support future conservation planning in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.
Deputy Commissioner (Kinnaur) Amit Kumar Sharma said such initiatives were important for biodiversity conservation and also for promoting nature education, eco-tourism and community participation.
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Officials and organisers described the event as a strong indication of the rapidly growing birding culture in Himachal and said such programmes would continue to strengthen future biodiversity conservation efforts in the state.
