The bird race in Pathfinder is an event where participants compete to identify the most species of birds within a designated time period and area. It is a popular event among birdwatchers and naturalists as both a recreational activity and a way to contribute to ornithological research.
Overview of Bird Races
A typical bird race involves teams traveling through a specific geographic region, such as a county, national park, or other defined area, looking and listening for as many bird species as they can identify. Races usually last 24 hours, starting at midnight, but some may be shorter or longer. The team that identifies the most species by the end of the race wins.
Bird races originated as informal competitions between birdwatchers, but today many are organized events withrules and procedures to ensure fair competition. Teams usually consist of 2-4 people, although individualsparticipating solo is not uncommon. Most races encourage the use of optical equipment like binoculars and spotting scopes, but rules prohibit the use of recorded bird calls or songs to attract birds during the event.
In addition to the recreational and competitive aspect, bird races also provide valuable data forornithological research. The number of species and population numbers observed during a race help scientists study migration patterns,population trends, and habitat ranges of birds in a given area over time.
History of Bird Races
The first known bird race was held in North America in 1927 at Cape May, New Jersey. It began as a challengebetween naturalist Ludlow Griscom and his colleagues to see who could observe the most species in a single day during the peakof spring migration. This sparked similar events organized between groups of competitive birders in localized areas.
In the following decades, bird races grew in popularity across the continent. The first statewide bird race was held inNew Jersey in 1957. In 1965 the first World Series of Birding debuted in Cape May and continues annually. Other famous early racesinclude the Ohio River Valley Competition starting in 1962 and the Great Texas Birding Classic from the 1970s.
As interest in birdwatching increased in the late 20th century, so did the prevalence of bird races. Today, races are held inmost U.S. states and many other countries globally. Both small local competitions and massive statewide extravaganzas take place each year. Some attract hundreds of participants and include festivals surrounding the birding event itself.
Rules and Procedures
While specific rules can vary, most bird races follow a similar template:
- Races are held during a 24-hour period, usually starting and ending at midnight.
- Teams can consist of any number of participants, but usually range from 2 to 4 people.
- There are designated boundaries teams must stay within, often a county or state border.
- Any native or migratory wild bird species visually or audibly identified can be counted.
- Introduced invasive/non-native species usually do not count.
- The use of recorded bird calls is prohibited during the race.
- A judge accompanies each team to certify their results.
At the end of the race, each team submits an itemized list of all species identified. These checklists are tabulated and the team with the most species wins the competition. Ties may be broken by the order in which birds were spotted first. Prizes often include birding equipment, naturalist books, weekend getaways to birding hotspots, and, of course, bragging rights.
Strategy and Planning
Winning bird races requires careful planning and strategic decision making. Teams must thoroughly research past sightings and patterns in the designated race area to know the range of species likely to be present. The best locations and times to find target species are mapped out in advance.
On race day, the most successful teams carefully budget their time and coordinate routes to visit the optimal habitat locations at the right periods of dawn and dusk chorusing. They generally start with nightbirds just after midnight, followed by early morning songbirds at first light. Shorebirds, raptors, and wetland species come later in the day. Teams have to make strategic tradeoffs, like leaving one location to try for rare birds elsewhere.
Top competitors prepare year-round by scouting locations and memorizing bird sights and sounds. They meticulously document bird distributions during prior non-race excursions to better increase their chances on race day. Some even enlist local experts as guides to overlooked birding hotspots.
Notable Races and Records
Some of the highest profile and most competitive bird races that set benchmarks each year include:
- World Series of Birding (New Jersey) – Held annually in mid-May during peak migration. The 2022 winning team saw 249 species.
- Great Texas Birding Classic (Texas) – Takes place in April along the gulf coast. Record is 290 species in 2013.
- Georgia Ornithological Society – 24-hour race each April since 1992. Record is 186 species.
- Florida Scrub-Jay 100 (Florida) – Popular June race covering Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Record is 185 species.
The highest verified species count in a single 24-hour bird race was 302 species spotted during the 2019 NJ Audubon World Series of Birding by the team Cadillac Crew.
Contributions to Science and Conservation
In addition to providing recreation and friendly competition, bird races generate critical data for ornithology and avian conservation. The comprehensive observational data produced during races assists scientists in doing the following:
- Monitor bird populations and determine trends in species distribution/frequency.
- Study the impact of environmental factors like climate change on migration timing.
- Identify threatened/endangered species habitats for protection.
- Guide decisions on land use and resource management to benefit birds.
The funds donated and raised through organized bird race entry fees also support vital avian conservation and education programs protecting birds across North America and internationally.
Getting Involved
Novices and experts alike can participate in bird races at some level. Even individuals or families simply competing against themselves for a personal best species count can have a great time. Those wanting a full competitive race experience can contact local birding clubs or Audubon chapters for upcoming events and joining teams.
Some key resources for finding bird races include:
- Audubon event calendars – Audubon.org
- American Birding Association race calendar – ABA Events
- eBird hotspot explorer by location – eBird
- Regional birding Facebook groups
Bird races make for immensely enjoyable outings in nature while meaningfully contributing to science and conservation. With some preparation and strategy, birders of all skill levels can have rewarding and memorable experiences during these fast-paced events.
Conclusion
Bird races are exciting competitions where teams try to identify as many bird species as possible within a designated geography and time limit. They originated in the 1920s among groups of birdwatching friends and grew into organizedevents that now take place across North America and internationally. While rules vary, most races last 24 hours, restrictthe use of recorded calls, and award prizes for species counts. Careful planning, scouting, and coordination are neededto achieve top totals. In addition to the recreational and competitive elements, the data gathered makes importantcontributions to ornithology and conservation. Bird races are open to experts and novices alike, providing a gratifying way to enjoy birding while supporting science and environmental protection.
