City Birding Challenge Winners!

The results are in for NYC Audubon’s 1st City Birding Challenge and it was a close one!

Hailing from Staten Island, the Forgotten Boroughing Owls surpassed seven other teams to capture 1st place with an impressive total of 141 species. Captained by Seth Wollney, the Forgotten Boroughing Owls began their day in Staten Island and birded their way through Riis and Forest Parks, Jamaica Bay and Big Egg Marsh to achieve victory.

Shane Blodgett’s Brooklyn team, The Wandering Talliers, was just one species short of the title with 140.

Joost Roost, captained by NYC Audubon Board member Peter Joost, came in third with 117 species.

The cumulative species total for all the competing teams was 174. A great start for NYC Audubon’s newest tradition.

Thanks to all those who participated and congratulations to the winning team!

2006 Winners
1st Place Team’s Species List
Cumulative Species List

Photos from the event

2nd place Team - Wandering Talliers (L to R): Rafael Guillermo Campos-Ramirez, Shane Blodgett, Douglas Gochfeld and Rob Jett

NYC Audubon Team (L to R): Roberto Cavalieros, Nicole Delacretaz, Yigal Gelb

NYC Audubon team scans the beach at Breezy Point

Laughing Gulls at Breezy Point

Sand dunes at Breezy Point

Greenwood Cemetary, nesting site for Monk Parakeets

Like birding?

Enjoy some friendly competition?
Want to raise money for a good cause?

Then we’ve got the event for you!

On Saturday, May 13, birders of all skill levels and ages are invited to scour the five boroughs in order to count as many bird species as possible, all while raising money for New York City Audubon and our work to protect wild birds and habitat in New York City.

Think you’re up to the Challenge? Choose your teammates, scout your route and let the Challenge begin. Register a team today!

You will find everything you need for NYC Audubon’s City Birding Challenge right here on our website. Check back frequently as we will continue to update the information.

About the City Birding Challenge

For 21 years, NYC Audubon has held a Birdathon in May inviting birders of all skill levels and ages to scour the five boroughs in an effort to count as many bird species as possible all while raising money for NYC Audubon’s work to protect wild birds and habitat in New York City.

A battle of the boroughs traditionally ensued from the competition of the Birdathon - which borough would see the most species? Despite valiant efforts by The Bronx, Queens and Manhattan, the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island have always been victorious due to the range of birds attracted to their varied landscapes.

This year, NYC Audubon decided to level the playing field. We thought, why just a borough battle, why not a city challenge? Thus, the City Birding Challenge was born.

New York City is an incredible place for birding and is home to some incredible birders, and we want to see what you can do.

What is the City Birding Challenge?
The Challenge: Teams of 2 to 4 people compete to see which team can identify the most bird species in 24 hours.

The Field: All over New York City! Go birding anywhere you can drive, train, bike or walk to within the five boroughs, but no sneaking into Nassau County or New Jersey!

The Competitors: Expert birders and not-so-expert birders; people of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join in the Challenge.

The Goal: To raise awareness about birds and their habitat needs in NYC and to raise money for NYC Audubon’s conservation, education and advocacy programs.

The Prize: The City Birding Challenge Cup and your team’s name on it! Other prizes will be awarded for most pledges collected and most money raised by an individual.

When is the City Birding Challenge?
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Midnight to Midnight
Don’t be intimidated by the 24hr time period! Start whenever you want and bird for 1 hour or 24 hours. Remember, the longer you bird, the more birds you are likely to see.
Checklists and species totals must be received by fax or email by midnight at the end of the Challenge day.

Why a City Birding Challenge?
The Challenge is an opportunity for birders to test their skills in the field and help raise money for a good cause.
When groups of birders hit the streets, parks and waterways all across New York City, people will notice!
By participating in the Challenge, you help raise awareness about the hundreds of bird species that grace our city and skies and the importance of protecting the natural habitat they rely on here in New York City.
By collecting pledges, participants help raise money for NYC Audubon’s conservation, education and advocacy programs.

Registration Information

In order to compete in the City Birding Challenge, teams are required to register with NYC Audubon. The team captain should complete the registration form and return it with the team registration fee of $100 to NYC Audubon.

Registration fees are not tax-deductible. All contributions are tax-deductible. The deadline to register is May 10. Download the Registration form.

How to Play

• Choose Your Teammates – It takes at least two people and no more than four to form a team. Remember, the goal is to see as many bird species as possible so be sure to select those friends with birding skills (and a car too!)

• Get Sponsors - Have your friends and family, co-workers, neighbors, and local businesses sponsor your day of birding. Before the Challenge download a pledge sheet and ask them to pledge anywhere from .10, .25, $1 or $10 per bird species or a fixed amount from $10 to $100 or more. There are no minimum or maximum pledge amounts. Be sure to give your sponsors an estimate of how many species you expect to see. Collecting pledges is not required but is always encouraged!
Sponsors who give $35 or more will receive a FREE one-year membership in NYC Audubon (new members only).

• Scout Your Route - Before the Challenge, decide where you’ll go, how you’ll get there and what’s the fastest and most direct way to hit all the key areas to maximize the types of birds you will see. There’s a lot of ground to cover in the five boroughs so planning ahead is essential to a successful day.

• Go Birding! – Bird like crazy (but with caution) on Saturday, May 13 and keep track of all the bird species you see or hear. Follow the route you scouted and get out there and count. You can start anytime after 12AM. Please visit the American Birding Association's website to familiarize yourself with the Code of Birding Ethics.

After the Event

• Submit Your Checklist - Send your checklist with your total species count by fax or email by midnight at the end of the challenge day. Be sure to put your team’s name on every page if faxing. Fax to: (212) 924-3870, Email to: Emily FitzGerald

• Collect Pledges – Follow up with your sponsors with a letter, by email or in person and tell them about your day of birding. Inform them of the total number of species you saw and how much they owe according to their pledge. And of course, THANK THEM! Sponsors will receive an acknowledgement letter for their contribution.

• Mail All Pledges – Send all checks payable to NYC Audubon with a copy of your pledge sheet to NYC Audubon by May 31st. Do not mail cash. Send to:

• Winners - The winning team will be notified on Monday, May 15 and will be invited to receive the City Birding Challenge Cup at a special event! Winners of individual prizes will be notified by June 2nd. More details to come.

For more details on how to play, see the Rules of the Game