Is your winter cruel and brutal, or a vacation paradise for birds? 

For this challenge we asked people to go outside and look for signs of bird survival (or not) in their neighborhood. We got great images, stories, poems, and more.  Look through the entries and you'll learn a lot about how birds survive winter.  You'll also see what winter looks like in different parts of the US and some other countries! 

To view prizewinning and special recognition entries, click here

Here are some examples of entries we've received:

To view photo and art entries click HERE

 To read the poems, stories and see the video entries, click here

 

Keep the challenge going in your family, neighborhood, or school.  Although we are not accepting entries now, you can still challenge yourself to observe how birds survive...how do they cope with cold temperatures?  Where do they find food, water and shelter? 

 

 

Download our  Greeting Card with information about bird survival on the back and a blank area for you to write your observations, draw/paint your art work or photos on the front. Print, fold, and you will have created a learning tool and a gift! This is a great activity for libraries, schools, senior centers, clubs, or businesses.

 
Download Greeting Card template HERE.

 

 

Do you want to learn more about how birds survive winter? Click here

 

View selected entries on the Celebrate Urban Birds website

Deadline for this challenge has passed, and winners will be announced soon:

 

 

 

Prizes  include  

• Binoculars from Eagle Optics

 

 

• Bird Songs 2010 Calendar including audio and range maps from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, adapted from Bird Songs by Les Beletsky...an audio bird song for every month...

 

• The Backyard Birdsong Guide,  Eastern and Central North America, a guide to listening by Donald Kroodsma, a Cornell Lab of Ornithology Audio FIeld Guide, with push and listen sounds. 

 

• Really WIld Cards produced with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, collectable sound cards featuring great bird art, printed on stock from sustainable forests.

 

• Two baskets of goodies from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, including magnets, note paper, plush bird dolls and other fun bird stuff.

 

• 2 signed copies of Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Science editor Laura Erickson's new book, "The Bird Watching Answer Book, everything you need to know to enjoy birds in your backyard and beyond"

 

•  5 copies of the new NestWatch poster

• 2 sets of folded cards and 2 sets of postcards created by ElkPen
  

    

Also bird feeders, sound CDs, signed copies of John Robinson’s book Birding for Everyone, and more.