14 Nebraskaland • May 2023
Young birders playfully glass in all directions at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
IN THE FIELD
In celebration of Nebraska Bird Month, a new, free event
begins — the Nebraska Birding Bowl.
Simply register yourself or your team of bird lovers and do
what you already do this time of year — watch birds. Then
submit the birds you observe through eBird, a community
science platform that uses your observations to inform bird
conservation, for a chance to win prizes. Sounds like a pretty
good add-on to what you already love to do.
Categories
There are several categories to choose from when
registering:
• Fledgling Flock is for youth groups such as after school
programs, summer camps and scouts that want to
introduce kids to the amazing world of birds.
• Dabbling Birder is for those trying out birding for the
first time or those who enjoy more casual, laid back
birding.
• Backyard Birders is for households that enjoy observing
birds that come to their yard.
• Competitive Birder is for those who like to explore
different habitats and observe a wide variety of species.
Prizes
No matter your skill level, you have a chance to win great
prizes.
• Fledgling Flock: Randomly selected teams will win a
birding group kit.
• Backyard Birder: A randomly selected team will win a
birdfeeder setup complete with a durable birdfeeder, pole
and birdseed.
• Dabbling Birder: A randomly selected participant will
win a pair of Vortex Diamondback Binoculars.
• Competitive Birder: The team that observes the most
species wins a $1,000 cash prize per team. The second
place team to observe the most species wins a $500 cash
prize per team. The third place team wins a variety of
prizes.
Winners will be announced in June.
There are endless opportunities to observe birds in Nebraska.
Visit birdtrail.outdoornebraska.gov/birdingbowl/ to see more
details and to register. This event is sponsored by the Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission, Audubon Great Plains, and the
Wild Bird Habitat Store.
THE NEBRASKA BIRDING BOWL
By Olivia DaRugna
