DEC announces 2022 'I BIRD NY' Challenges

Challenges encourage people to enjoy birding where they live, on New York State Birding Trail

√ Online or mailed entries must be received by Oct. 14

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the start of the 2022 "I BIRD NY" challenges for beginning and experienced birders. Two levels of challenges provide the opportunity to identify birds and learn about birdlife and offer a chance to win birding equipment. With the launch of many New York State Birding Trail segments this year, DEC will be increasing the chances of winning if participants find birds on a New York State Birding Trail site.

"No matter where you live, birdwatching is a fun, easy, affordable activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, identities and backgrounds," Seggos said. "This summer is a great time to start birding or take your birding skills to the next level by observing birds in the diverse variety of habitats and locations the New York State Birding Trail offers.”

DEC noted, “New York state's wide-ranging habitat types, from the Atlantic Ocean's sandy beaches to majestic Catskill and Adirondack peaks, Great Lakes shorelines, and everything in between create a birder's paradise that supports more than 450 different bird species throughout the year. New York offers a wide variety of options in birding trail locations with ongoing new sites being added, making it even easier for New Yorkers to get started with this fun activity.”

The annual “I BIRD NY Beginner's Birding Challenge” is open to anyone 16 years of age and younger. To complete the “Beginner's Birding Challenge,” participants must identify 10 common New York bird species and submit their challenge sheet to DEC.

In addition to the “Beginner's Birding Challenge,” DEC is offering the “I Bird NY” experienced birder challenge https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/expbirdchallenge.pdf. To complete, birders of any age must identify at least 10 different bird species found across New York.

Entries can be submitted online or be mailed or emailed and must be received Oct. 14. Both entry forms are also available in Spanish. All participants in both challenges will be able to print a certificate of participation and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win birding accessories, including binoculars and a grand prize spotting scope. All participants will also receive an extra entry for identifying half of the birds (five) on state birding trail sites. As a bonus, the first 50 participants from either challenge will receive a special goodie bag of birding swag items.

Birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities in the nation. Backyard birding, or watching birds close to home, is the most common way people engage in birding. As a birder's skill and interest develop, there are several opportunities to contribute to scientific knowledge about birds and the natural world. Programs such as eBird, New York's Breeding Bird Atlas, Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count rely on volunteer birders to contribute sightings to a centralized database.

The “I BIRD NY” program was launched in 2017 to build on the state's efforts to increase access to New York's vast natural resources and promote no- and low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature.

DEC stated, “ ‘I BIRD NY’ is just one of DEC's ongoing efforts through the Adventure NY initiative to enhance access to the outdoors and engage New Yorkers in nature-based activities that provide a fun opportunity for the entire family to learn about the natural world. The public can observe birds wherever they live, work or recreate, making birding an accessible activity that does not require transportation or the purchase of specialized equipment, and can be enjoyed by people from all backgrounds. While binoculars can help, many birds can be identified without special equipment.”

Birding enthusiasts can visit “I Bird NY” to access this year's challenge sheets, as well as find information on where and how to watch birds, upcoming bird walks or other events, plus a downloadable “Beginner's Guide to Birding” also available in Spanish, and additional resources.

Participants are encouraged to “Love Our New York Lands” year by practicing “Leave No Trace” principles and by recreating safely and sustainably.