India, Feb. 19 -- While the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) carried out between February 14 and 17 this year saw enthusiastic participation from across India, Maharashtra ranked fourth in bird sighting with 418 out of the total 1,077 bird species recorded across the country. Whereas Pune city, with 248 bird species, recorded the second highest bird species sighting in Maharashtra. The highlight this year was the sighting of the rare European Honey Buzzard at Vetal Tekdi.

Ranjeet Rane, an active participant and also one of the coordinating members for this initiative in Pune, said, "This year, 3,672 checklists were submitted from Pune among which, 422 were hotspots where maximum birds were sighted. There is an interesting story behind ea...