May 11
Event Navigation
New Jersey Audubon’s 2024 World Series of Birding
It’s a game, it’s a marathon, it’s a challenge, it’s a heck of a lot of fun!
Many great birders have raised glasses in this event. The first official World Series of Birding began at midnight on May 19, 1984, when just thirteen teams set out on a 24-hour treasure hunt. Their mission was to tally as many species of birds by sight or sound as possible. Their objective was to raise money for their favorite environmental cause, and to focus worldwide attention upon the habitat needs of migrating birds.
They succeeded beyond anyone’s dreams. Today there are thousands of participants, including donors and support team members, in the event and the event has grown into several categories and ways to play.
NJ Audubon Ambassador Challenge – Level II – for non-competing teams wishing to just have fun and raise funds for NJ Audubon
Zeiss Youth Challenge – Level III – for ages 6-18 within their respective school grades.
For the 40th Anniversary, we’re bringing the Level I Bird Conservation Challenge and the Level III Zeiss Youth Birding Challenge back to New Jersey. Level II NJ Audubon Ambassadors can participate anywhere IN THE WORLD!
During the event participants and their support teams can stop at the Sherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary (New Jersey Audubon headquarters) anytime from 10 am to 2 pm at the Zeiss Checkpoint, where there will be food and drink, and hopefully a few species to add to your tally.
The World Series of Birding is a competitive “Big Day.” Teams have up to 24 hours (i.e. midnight to midnight) to count as many bird species as they can identify by sight or sound within their chosen WSB category. Each species seen or heard counts as one.
We lay the ground work, give you the playing field and the rules to follow. The rest is up to you. Please read all the information in the Rules/Forms tab of this website.
This year, teams will be able to use eBird to record their sightings throughout the day, and then submit their final list from their phones. Various species will be “flagged” for time and location, and the rules for rarities (aka “Write-ins”) will still apply and be submitted thru eBird. Any team wishing to compete for one of the Leve I or Level III awards MUST use eBird to submit their list.
