Join the Celebration: October Big Day

Fall migration is in full swing, and billions of birds are on the move. Join the global birding community on October Big Day, Saturday, October 10, to celebrate birds, wherever you are.

October Big Day is an annual celebration of the birdlife around you, and everyone is welcome to participate. Many of the migratory species that have been enjoying their breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere and journeying to their non-breeding grounds in the Southern Hemisphere. New birds are arriving in your community every single day and Merlin makes it easy to find them.

You can participate in this global celebration!

See who’s just arrived. Open Merlin and use the explore tab to see likely species, swipe your bird of the day to see arriving species.

Find birds with Nearby places. Not sure where to go to see these arriving migrants and favorite residents? Visit any species page and tap ‘Nearby Places’ to see where you can find that bird near you. 

Save your Sightings. Identify birds while on your October Big Day adventure and save species to log them on your life list, and share scientific data on the birds you find!

Share the joy. Every bird you identify with Merlin is part of the celebration. Post your favorite find on social media with #OctoberBigDay, and watch observations roll in from birders all over the world.

You don’t need to be an expert, travel far, or even spend all day out. Bird for ten minutes on your walk, plan a full day adventure, or just watch the feeder with your coffee. Get outside on October 10, open Merlin, and celebrate the birds near you.