Earth Week Birding Classic 2025 Results

The Juniata Valley Audubon Society celebrated Earth Week with our annual Birding Classic, an exciting and inspiring event that brought together birders from across the region to support local bird conservation. Six enthusiastic teams took to the field in Blair County and surrounding areas, competing to spot as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour window.

Together, the teams tallied an impressive 111 species! The winning team, “The Wingnuts,” topped the charts with 96 species, including notable sightings of Sora, Virginia Rail, Greater Scaup, and the elusive Whip-poor-will—a true highlight of the day.

The day of birding concluded with a celebratory dinner at the U.S. Hotel Tavern in Hollidaysburg, where members gathered to share stories, tally final counts, and enjoy a delicious meal.

Half of the funds raised from this event will go directly toward local bird conservation projects supported by our chapter and the other half will go to the Penn State Altoona Sustainability Council. 

To contribute, please visit our Juniata Valley Audubon Facebook page and donate via our fundraiser. https://www.facebook.com/donate/642499058546960/1134437535389211/

We will gratefully accept cash donations at our next meeting on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Tally Dinner at U.S. Hotel Tavern: Clockwise, top right: Cassie, Alysha, & Addy Kachur; Denice Rodaniche; Justin Merry; Connor Schmitt; Mike & Laura Jackson; Myra & David Hess; Catie Farr, Earth Week Birding Classic Founder and Leader

We wrapped up another successful Earth Week Birding Classic with a warm and lively final tally dinner. This year, we welcomed two brand new teams to the competition. Congratulations to our category winners: The Wingnuts took home the Ruffed Grouse title with 96 species, BellHollow Buteos soared to the top of the Towhee category with 90 species, The Golden Eagles claimed victory in the Coot category with 81 species, and Bird is theWord led the Phoebe category with 14 species. Fundraising efforts are still underway, with all proceeds going to support local bird conservation and education. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this year’s Classic such a joyful celebration of birds and community!

Announcing the 1st annual Earth Day Birding Classic at Penn State Altoona

The 1st annual Earth Day Birding Classic at Penn State Altoona will be held on April 22 and 23, 2016. Registration is free. The goal is for teams in six different categories to count as many species of birds as possible in the 24-hour-period beginning at noon on April 22. This non-profit event is co-sponsored by the Environmental Studies program at Penn State Altoona and Juniata Valley Audubon Society. Pledges that team members garner will support bird conservation and education in central Pennsylvania. Teams of 3 or more (2 or more for Senior citizens) will count birds in Blair and surrounding counties, and prizes will be awarded during the closing ceremony. The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the Slep Center on the Penn State Altoona campus immediately prior to and following the event. Registration deadline is April 15 – to register and for more information, please contact Catherine Kilgus at [email protected].

→ Download the Registration Form

→ Download the Pledge Sheet

→ Download the Rules & Guidelines — or see below.
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