Reflecting the growing enthusiasm for birdwatching in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital district documented 190 species through 772 checklists during the recent Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a global citizen science initiative.India ranked third globally in terms of the number of species documented (1,082) and second for the count of checklists (60,321), while Kerala contributed 13,412 checklists covering 347 species as of February 23 (with data still being collated). Kerala had recorded 339 species through 12,824 checklists (a list of bird species found in a specific area) during the previous edition of the annual event. The initiative, coordinated by Bird Count India, aims to promote birdwatching and contribute to citizen science. WWF-India, Kerala State office, played a key role in coordinating the initiative in the district, including a bird watch at Punchakkari wetlands.This year, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest number of bird species (92), followed by Manchadininnavila, a village near Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (82) in the district. Other notable locations included Vellayani-Punchakkari wetlands, Aruvikkara Reservoir, Akkulam Lake, Pazhanchira Wetlands, Kadinamkulam Lake and Ponmudi Hills. While the event, held from February 14 to 17, saw significant participation, habitat degradation was a concern. Punchakkari wetlands, a traditional bird hotspot, reported lower water levels and fewer waterbirds due to invasive species. The region documented 72 species. Pazhanchira wetlands and Kadinamkulam Lake suffered from plastic waste accumulation. Aruvikkara Reservoir, despite protective fencing, also showed signs of pollution.Among the 190 species recorded, notable sightings included the Ruddy-breasted Crake, Forest Wagtail, Indian Pitta, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Grey-headed Lapwing, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Black Eagle, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Great Hornbill. The count also documented 41 migratory species including the Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Barn Swallow. Conservation-significant species such as the Near Threatened Asian Woolly-necked Stork and the Vulnerable Indian Hornbill were also recorded.Educational institutions across India participated in the ‘Campus Bird Count’ organised alongside the GBBC, focusing on monitoring bird populations within academic campuses, which serve as important habitats outside protected areas. In Thiruvananthapuram, participating colleges included Mar Ivanios College; Government College for Women; All Saints College; Christian College, Kattakkada; Iqbal College, Peringamala; NSS College, Karamana; and Sree Gokulam Medical College, Venjaramoodu. ISER student Kushankur Bhattacharyya documented the highest number of species (111), followed by wildlife photographer Reji Chandran with 96 species. WWF-India Senior education officer A.K. Sivakumar said the collated data will help the authorities concerned to plan necessary conservation initiatives. The findings will aid local bodies in updating their biodiversity registers and assist educational institutions in developing campus biodiversity registers. Agencies including the State Wetland Authority Kerala and the Social Forestry wing of Forest Department will also benefit from the data.