Hudsonian Godwit (left) and Sanderling, photo by Ken Rosenberg

WHAT: The World Series of Birding is a 24-hour birding competition that benefits conservation. Birders  traverse the state of New Jersey, identifying as many species as possible by sight or sound. Supporters pledge money to their favorite teams for each species found. The event raises more than $500,000 for bird conservation annually. 

WHERE: Teams can roam the entire state of New Jersey, choose a restricted area within the state, or compete solely on foot or by bicycle. The Cornell student team, The Redheads, competes in the Cape May County division. Our carbon-neutral team, the Anti-Petrels, competes on bicycles, logging about 100 miles in Cape May County during the Big Day.

WHO: The event is organized by New Jersey Audubon, whose important work benefits from registration fees and pledges raised by noncompeting teams. Anyone can participate, as an individual or as part of a team. Members of the Redheads are current Cornell students—most with a decade or more of birding experience when they arrived as freshmen! The Anti-Petrels are made up of Lab staff who enjoy the freedom of birding from behind handlebars instead of windshields. The Lab's larger WSB team includes scouts and those who assist with behind-the-scenes logistics. Another important part of our team is our valued members and friends who pledge financial support for the birds. In recent years, Team Sapsucker has earned more money for conservation than any other team, thanks to generous supporters.

Note: In April 2011 and 2012, the Sapsuckers challenged themselves to break the American Big Day record by birding in Texas. Both years they tallied 264 birds, first breaking the U.S. record, then matching their own feat for the second year in a row. Millions have been raised for conservation by the Lab's Big Day teams.

HOW: For many teams, the WSB goes beyond the 24-hour birding marathon. The Lab's teams are among those who put time and energy into pre-Big Day scouting, because every species counts. Careful planning begins mid-winter, and discussions about the best route can arise anywhere, anytime, with anyone at the Lab.

WHEN: The WSB begins at midnight on the second Saturday in May and ends 24 hours later. This annual event falls during a time of peak migration in New Jersey.

WHY: Sound crazy to stay up for 24 hours, birding the state of New Jersey for 24 hours? Yes, but the Redheads and the Anti-Petrels enjoy the heat of the competition and the camaraderie! And competitive birding has proven a great way to raise awareness of birds and their environments. The World Series of Birding is an important fundraiser for the Lab, raising funds vital to our conservation work on behalf of declining bird species. Past WSB pledges have supported Project Tanager, Cerulean Warbler Atlas Project, Golden-winged Warbler Atlas Project, and eBird. Funds raised in 2012 will again support conservation and education programs at the Lab as well as undergraduate training and expeditions. Our conservation efforts include developing a migration-monitoring system based on night flight calls. Our education programs provide training and research opportunities for students, interns, and professional scientists.

Past Stories