As staff members at Shaver’s Creek, we’re lucky that taking a walk in nature is as simple as teaching our students, hosting a program, or tending the grounds. It is not lost on us that we have the great privilege of walking in nature every day, which is why we work so hard to share that privilege with as many people as we can. One of the ways we celebrate that privilege is with our annual Birding Cup fundraiser.
This year’s Cup was all about reciprocity — recognizing what the natural world has given us and doing our part to give back. Birders embraced that sentiment by sharing in 24 hours of friendship, camaraderie, and the awe of the outdoors, all while raising money to have a positive impact on our local outdoor spaces. This year’s fundraising efforts will play a critical role in enhancing grassland habitat at the Musser Gap Greenway.
Birders participated in five friendly competitive categories as well as the global, noncompetitive category for birders around the world. It’s this passion and sense of community that makes our annual fundraiser something we look forward to each spring. Thank you to all who made this year’s Birding Cup one to remember!
Find all the teams, individual birders, and support raised at the 2025 Birding Cup Hub.
The Results Are In…
This year, we had a total of 121 birders participate in the fundraiser, comprising 25 local and 9 global teams. From true beginners to seasoned pros, these birders collectively spotted a grand total of 185 unique species across eight states!
While our global category remained noncompetitive, our local teams raced to take home the gold in one of five unique categories.
The Micro Cup
The Micro Cup, awarded to the 2-person team with the highest count within a mile diameter circle, was won by The Rebel Bird Club! These fierce fliers spotted a total of 104 species to secure their victory. Congratulations!
The Potter Mug
The Potter Mug is given to the team who spots the most species while having less than two years of birding experience. This year’s Potter Mug went to Gulls Just Wanna Have Fun, who counted a total of 89 species. Great work!
The Birding Boot
The Birding Boot recognizes a team that spots the most species while traveling only by non-motorized means. The biking birders who took home this year’s Birding Boot were the Whip-Poor-Wheels, with a total of 112 species. Well done!
The County Cup
The County Cup, awarded to a team who limits their birding to just one county, went to Raiders of the Lost Lark, who recorded a total of 130 species. Good effort to these bird enthusiasts!
The Birding Cup
And, of course, the Birding Cup is the famed trophy given to the team of three or more birders who identify the most species within seven PA counties. Without further ado…
The 2025 Birding Cup winners are Bad Optics! Over the course of 24 hours, this team spotted an impressive grand total of 134 species. Congratulations, Bad Optics!
We’d like to give a huge shoutout to not only our winners but all of our participants, donors, and supporters — not to mention the birds — that made another year of our beloved tradition as impactful and successful as can be. This event wouldn’t be possible without a community like you. Thank you for all of your continued support of Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center!
Why We Bird
In 2024, we began the process of converting 25 acres of the Musser Gap Greenway into grassland habitat. Grasslands, which are the most altered and endangered biome in the world, were historically a part of Pennsylvania’s landscape. They supported now threatened and declining species like the short-eared owl, wood turtle, northern harrier, monarch butterfly, and American kestrel. With support from this year’s Birding Cup, we can bring some grassland back to central Pennsylvania, and in turn, support the threatened and declining species that rely on them.
While the Cup may be finished, fundraising is still open! Donations will be accepted through the end of June. Join us in our mission by donating now! Thank you to all who have made generous donations and helped by sharing the word of our fundraising efforts so far.
This year’s Birding Cup was also made possible with the incredible support of local businesses. Shaver’s Creek would like to thank:
- Lost Creek Optics
- Appalachian Outdoors
- Boal City Brewing
- Purple Lizard Maps
- Collegiate Pride
- Bobby Rahal Honda
- Freeze Thaw Cycles
- Bird Collective
- Wiscoy for Animals
- The State College Bird Club
What We Saw
Head to this year’s eBird trip report to see a complete list of bird spotted by both local and global participants.