From April 11 to April 19, teams across central Pennsylvania will take on the challenge of identifying as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period. With multiple team categories, there’s a place for everyone—from students and families to seasoned experts and those who prefer a relaxed “Big Sit” style count. And for the truly competitive, the Ruffed Grouse category crowns the team that tallies the most species overall!
Registration is free and open until April 9. The competition wraps up with a celebration at U.S. Hotel Tavern on April 19 at 5:30 PM, where we’ll announce the winners and swap stories from the field.
Whether you aim to break records or just enjoy a peaceful day with binoculars in hand, we welcome you to join us for this unforgettable birding adventure. Let’s celebrate Earth Week with the joy of birds—sign up today! Please fill out the following form and submit electronically to Catherine Farr, [email protected] or print and mail to her at: 1201 Meadow Lane, Duncansville, PA 16635
Registration Form: MS Word Doc or PDF
Earth Week Birding Classic 2025: Official Rules & Guidelines
Welcome to the Earth Week Birding Classic 2025! This event is designed for both experienced birders and newcomers alike. Whether you’re here for the competition or just to enjoy time in nature, we’re excited to have you join us!
1. When & Where
- Event Dates: The birding period begins at 12:00 PM on April 11 and ends at 4:00 PM on April 19.
- Your 24-Hour Window: Each team gets one 24-hour period to count birds. You can start at any time before 4:00 PM on April 19, but you must choose your start time when you register. If needed, you can change it up until April 9 (registration deadline).
- Final Checklist Submission: All teams must submit their checklists by 5:30 PM on April 19—either in person at the closing event or electronically by the end of the day.
- Closing Event: Join us for the wrap-up celebration at U.S. Hotel Tavern on April 19 at 5:30 PM. Winners will be announced at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP with organizer Catherine Farr ([email protected]).
2. Where You Can Bird
- Main Count Area: You can count birds anywhere in Blair County and the counties that border it (Centre, Clearfield, Cambria, Bedford, and Huntingdon).
- Penn State Altoona Campuses: Teams choosing to bird only on campus will receive a special map. You can count any birds seen from within campus boundaries, including those flying or perched outside campus. However, you cannot count birds seen while traveling between campuses.
Helpful Tip: If you’re near the border of a county, using a smartphone with GPS can help confirm your exact location.
3. Team Categories
Teams compete to see who can identify the most species in their category. You can only enter one category (except for “Ruffed Grouse,” which all teams are automatically entered in).
- COOT (Senior Birders): All members must be 65+ years old. You can bird anywhere in the six-county area.
- TURKEY (Big Sit Challenge): Stay within a 50-foot circle for the entire count. The circle must remain in place, and at least one team member must always be inside.
- OSPREY (College Students): Only open to full-time Penn State students (any campus, including World Campus). You can bird anywhere in the six-county area.
- MALLARD (Campus Birding): Open to anyone, but all birding must take place on Penn State Altoona campuses.
- PIPIT (On-Foot Birding): No cars, bikes, horses, boats, or other forms of transport—only walking or wheelchairs allowed. If your team takes a break, you must resume counting from the same spot.
- TOWHEE (Single-County Birding): Choose one county within the count area and bird only within that county.
- PHOEBE (Family Teams): Teams must include at least one adult (18+) and one child (under 18). You can bird anywhere in the six-county area.
- RUFFED GROUSE (Overall Champion): The team that identifies the most species anywhere in the count area wins.
Note: If a team wins both its category and the “Ruffed Grouse” category, the second-place team in their main category will be awarded the win instead.
4. Team Rules
- Stick Together: Team members must stay within sight and sound of each other while counting birds.
- Breaks Are Allowed: You can take breaks for rest, meals, or other activities, but you cannot count birds during these times.
- Team Size: Teams must have at least three members (except for COOT and PHOEBE teams, which have different rules). Once your team is set, no new members can join after your 24-hour period starts.
- Identifying Birds: At least 75% of the team must correctly identify a species for it to count. For example:
- A 3-person team must all agree on a bird.
- A 4-person team must have at least 3 members confirm the sighting.
- A 5-person team must have at least 4 members confirm it.
5. Ethical Birding & Fair Play
We follow the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics (available at www.aba.org/about/ethics.html). Key rules include:
- Respect the Birds: Do not disturb birds by getting too close. “Pishing” (soft sounds to attract birds) is okay, but recordings and playback are NOT allowed.
- Respect Private Property: Only bird on land where you have permission.
- Stay Safe: Be careful near roads and traffic. Use hazard lights if needed, and don’t block roadways.
6. What Counts?
- Only birds seen or heard during your 24-hour period count.
- Domestic or pet birds do not count.
- No Outside Help: You cannot get bird locations from non-team members, use rare bird alerts, or check other teams’ eBird lists.
- Birds spotted during breaks do not count (unless your whole team stays together during the break).
7. Using eBird (Optional but Encouraged!)
- Teams are strongly encouraged to use eBird to track sightings.
- If you prefer, you can temporarily hide your eBird checklists during the event.
- However, you may NOT check other teams’ eBird lists during the competition.
8. Pledges for Conservation
- Teams are encouraged to gather pledges to support bird conservation and education in central Pennsylvania.
- Organizers will follow up with pledged donors after the event.
9. Validating Rare Bird Sightings
Some species may require additional documentation. If asked, you must provide:
- A descriptive species report explaining your sighting.
- Photo or sound evidence (if possible).
Our judges will review rare bird reports before finalizing results. The judges’ decisions are final to ensure fairness.
10. Beginner Birders—You’re Welcome Here!
If you’re new to birding, we’d love for you to join! Here’s a tip:
- Reach out to the organizers for advice on using eBird and identifying common species.
- Take your time—careful identification is better than rushed guesses.
We hope you have an amazing time birding. Enjoy the challenge, the fresh air, and the joy of spotting new species. Happy birding!