The documentary “Opposable Chums: Guts & Glory at the World Series of Birding” explores this annual spring birding blowout in New Jersey which has raised millions of dollars for conservation since it began 25 years ago. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s team has competed in every one of those years.

Filmmaker Jason Kessler spent seven years crafting this self-funded movie, relying on paying video jobs from big-name fashion designers to keep food on the table. “Opposable Chums” has been well-received at film-festival screenings and is now available on DVD via Kessler’s web site where you can also see trailers for the film.

Like snowflakes, it seems no two birders are alike. Part of the film’s gentle humor comes from the conflicting ways competitors view their avocation—variously described as hobby, obsession, passion, sport, and profession. But everyone agrees that the Big Day, as the World Series is known, amounts to “insane, intense birding” as teams check off as many birds as possible by sight and sound in a midnight-to-midnight marathon of identification across the entire state. Supporters pledge a set amount for each species tallied.
 

2001 Sapsuckers (L-R): Jeff Wells, John Fitzpatrick, Ken Rosenberg, Steve Kelling, Kevin McGowan

You’ll see some familiar faces in the film. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s 2001 Team Sapsucker, sponsored by Swarovksi Optik, is featured with then-members John Fitzpatrick, Kevin McGowan, Steve Kelling, Ken Rosenberg, and Jeff Wells seeking redemption after placing second four years running. From midnight darkness in the Great Swamp, through Dunkin’ Donuts pit stops, bouts of food poisoning, and tick attacks, all the teams are on high alert for this mental and physical challenge. The film also traces the growth of the event from its humble beginnings—when identifying 200 or more species in a single day seemed absurd—to today when top teams habitually go well beyond that benchmark.

This episode ends happily for the Sapsuckers and, more importantly, for bird conservation. As John Fitzpatrick points out, the World Series of Birding is all about the thrill of the hunt and a sense of renewal as the birds of spring return. “Opposable Chums” captures all chaos and camaraderie of the event—and takes viewers along for the wild ride.

--Pat Leonard

August 2008