Help Skimmer Skim!

Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis  has seen a remarkable decline in the past few decades. Its already listed as Endangered by IUCN Red List and the recent State of India's Birds Report also mentions this as a species of high conservation priority. At present maximum population of this species is confined to India and Bangladesh, along with few records in Pakistan, Myanmar and Nepal. 

BNHS has identified Indian Skimmer under priority list of birds which needs immediate conservation interventions. Indian Skimmer is also included in the India’s National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds and their habitats along Central Asian Flyway (CAF) by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India. Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in association with Bird Count India (birdcount.in) announces the 4th coordinated Global Indian Skimmer Count to fill the knowledge gap of the species.

After the successful first phase of the 4th coordinated global Indian Skimmer Count. The second phase will be conducted on 27th & 28th JANUARY 2024. We invite Government Institutions, Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) members, birdwatchers, NGOs, ornithologists, researchers, academicians and nature lovers across the Indian Skimmer distribution range to participate in this initiative. This will  help in conserving this incredible species.

Note: If the counts are conducted on both dates then use a fresh form for each date same way if more than one site has been covered then also fill in a separate form. In case you are not able to access the survey due to technical reasons, please contact us at: skimmercount@bnhs.org  OR p.shaikh@bnhs.org.