On the Eve of Birding Cup ’17…

Every year, passionate birders gather for one of the highlights of spring: Birding Cup.

As bird migration peaks here in central Pennsylvania, over 20 teams will flock to forests, fields, meadows, wetlands, lakes, and all other varieties of habitat to find as many bird species as possible.

Now in it’s 28th year, the Birding Cup is not only a terrific community event, and Shaver’s Creek’s only annual fundraiser, it’s a great blast of citizen science. What better way to get a snapshot of what birds are actually out there than sending over a hundred people to find out?

RBGR_reflection

Funds raised this year will go toward bird-friendly glass to be installed in the visitor center, as Shaver’s Creek undergoes the biggest renovation and expansion in its history (the core of the building, which will remain, was built in the 1930s!). This glass is manufactured with subtle patterning that helps make it obvious to birds that they can’t fly through it, and helps prevent needless window collisions.

Last year, with the combined effort of all teams, a record-breaking 189 species were observed. Incredible!

Join the conversation on social media with #birdingcup — teams are sure to appreciate any support, and may also provide some periodic updates (without revealing their hot spots)!

You can be a part of this wonderful event by supporting your favorite Birding Cup team this May 5–6 with a pledge per species of bird identified or with a flat contribution. We also encourage creative pledges — like a bonus for every bird seen through a window?— that motivate the teams while they’re out on their twenty-four-hour birding quest! You can make your contribution now or after the Birding Cup results are in by visiting our Pledges and Donations page.

We owe a huge thank you to those who have already donated! We’d also love to thank our sponsors, who support the Birding Cup with donations, team prizes, and food for the birders: Wiscoy for Animals, Lost Creek Optics, Appalachian Outdoors, Purple Lizard Maps, Benjamin’s Catering, Collegiate Pride, Bobby Rahal Honda, Penns Valley Pharmacy, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, and Honey Creek Bill & Beak! Thank you all!

The Birding Cup starts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5 and finishes on Satuday, May 6, exactly 24 hours and — how many species? — later. Stay tuned for the results, but join the conversation by following #birdingcup on social media!