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AVISCOPE ’25 Connects Schools Across Sri Lanka Through Ornithology

An island-wide celebration of birds, knowledge, and unity.

Reviewed by Seshaan Malarvannan and Sajeen Bandara (Ornithology Club, TCK)

AVISCOPE ’25, organised by the Trinity College Ornithology Club, became the first nationwide online Bird Photography and Ornithology Quiz Competition conducted by a school in Sri Lanka. Held in September 2025, the initiative brought together hundreds of young bird enthusiasts from across the island, united by a shared interest in avian life.

The idea behind AVISCOPE ’25 was simple: to create a space where students from every district could explore and celebrate their curiosity about birds and the natural world. Nearly 200 schools from the national, private, and international sectors were invited through official letters and social media announcements, generating wide interest among school communities and nature clubs.

More than 100 schools registered for the two main segments, the Bird Photography Competition and the Online Ornithology Quiz, either individually or as combined entries.

Bird Photography Competition

This open-category segment welcomed participants of all age groups. Running from 1 August to 30 September, the competition invited photographs under four categories:

Birds in Flight
Best Portrait
Behavioural Shot
Birds in Habitat

Participants captured a rich variety of species, from eagles riding the wind to sunbirds feeding among flowers. The collection showcased both technical skill and a thoughtful appreciation of nature.

A panel of photographers and ornithologists, together with the Ornithology Club Committee, evaluated the entries for composition, quality, originality, and the story conveyed by each image.

Online Ornithology Quiz

The quiz began on 20 September 2025 with a time-bound preliminary round conducted through Microsoft Forms. Students answered 40 multiple-choice questions within 20 minutes, covering avian biology, ecology, anatomy, behaviour, and conservation.

To ensure inclusivity, the quiz was offered in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.

Quaternary and Semi-Final Rounds

From the preliminary stage, the top eight schools advanced to the Quaternary Finals, held via Zoom. These rounds included:

Bird Identification
Rapid Questions
Direct Questions
Bird Call Identification

The eight Quaternary Finalists were:

St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo
Hillwood College, Kandy
K/ Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud Girls’ College
Madawala Madina Central College
S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela
St. Joseph’s College, Gampola
Gateway College, Kandy
OKI International School, Wattala

Gateway College, Hillwood College, S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela, and St. Bridget’s Convent progressed to the Semi-Finals.

Final Round

The Final was held on 30 September from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., also through Zoom. The rounds included:

Multiple Choice Questions
Rapid Questions
Bird Call Identification
Bird Anatomy
Scenario-Based Round
Research Round

St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo, emerged as champions, with Hillwood College, Kandy as runners-up, and S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela as second runners-up.

Behind the Scenes

For the Ornithology Club Committee, AVISCOPE ’25 was a significant learning experience. Planning quiz content, preparing audio clips, managing registrations, scheduling practices, and coordinating digital platforms required consistent effort and careful organisation.

The committee handled large volumes of communication, rehearsed for online hosting, and ensured that each school had the support needed to participate. Their goal was to make the virtual format feel engaging and interactive.

Special acknowledgement is extended to Masters Disath Jayasinghe, Abishan Shanthakumar, Kenula Ekanayake, Keneth Karunarathne, and Thisas Gunaseela for their steady involvement throughout the planning process. Their teamwork supported every stage of the event.

Thanks are also due to Master Dananjaya Herath for translating the quiz into Sinhala, ensuring clarity for Sinhala-medium participants, and to the IT Manager, Mr Anurudda Ekanayake, for his support in every area. The IT Department, PROMWEB, and TCMU provided essential technical support, live monitoring, and digital assistance.

The committee is also grateful for the guidance given by the Principal, Rev. Fr Araliya Jayasundara OSB, the Vice Principal, Mr Krishanthan Antonydas and the Coordinator of TCCEI, Mr Wasana Dissanayake, whose encouragement enabled the students to approach the project with confidence.

A Growing Legacy

AVISCOPE ’25 brought students, teachers, and nature enthusiasts together in a shared celebration of learning and discovery. Participants strengthened their understanding of birds and conservation, while organisers gained valuable experience in leadership and collaboration.

The Ornithology Club hopes that AVISCOPE will continue to foster curiosity and inspire more students to appreciate Sri Lanka’s birdlife and natural heritage.