ALBANY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos just lately introduced the beginning of the 2024 “I BIRD NY” Challenge for birders of all ages and talents.
The problem supplies alternatives to determine birds and study birdlife and awards program finishers with a commemorative I BIRD NY Challenge patch and the prospect to win birding gear.
“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 for residents and visitors year-round,” Seggos mentioned. “I encourage birdwatchers to get outside and check out the 450 different bird species that call New York home.”
New York has greater than 350 birding path areas and new areas are added typically, making it even simpler for New Yorkers to get began with this enjoyable exercise. Birdwatching is among the fastest-growing outside leisure actions within the U.S. According to the 2022 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 7.4 million wildlife watchers generated $10.8 billion in New York state in 2022. This is up from an estimated 4 million New York resident wildlife viewers spending greater than $6.4 billion yearly in 2016.
Backyard birding, or watching birds near home, is the most typical means individuals have interaction in birding. As a birder’s ability and curiosity develop, there are a number of alternatives to contribute to scientific data about birds and the pure world. Programs like eBird, New York’s Breeding Bird Atlas, Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count depend 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 extend access to New York’s huge pure sources and promote no- and low-cost alternatives to benefit from the open air and join with nature. The annual birding problem noticed a 745% enhance in participation in 2023, with 1,226 birding fans finishing this enjoyable problem.
I BIRD NY is only one of DEC’s ongoing efforts to interact New Yorkers in nature-based actions that present a enjoyable alternative for the complete household to study concerning the pure world. Because individuals can observe birds wherever they stay, work or recreate, birding is an accessible exercise that doesn’t require transportation or the acquisition of specialised gear. Birdwatching could be loved by individuals from all financial backgrounds and training ranges. While binoculars might help, many birds could be recognized with out them.
“Early spring is an exciting time to observe birds as they engage in fascinating behavior like establishing territories, finding a mate, and gathering nest materials,” mentioned Michael Burger, govt director, Audubon Connecticut and New York. “Others are just starting to arrive from their wintering grounds, and some will only be passing through. By staying quiet and moving slowly, you’ll maximize your chances of seeing the birds that are around you. We recommend visiting the New York State Birding Trail for its unique and accessible settings.”
Young birding fans agree.
“Birds are awesome!” mentioned Maisie, 10, and Sam, 14, members of the WNY Young Birder Club.
“The ‘I BIRD NY’ Challenge not only offers an inclusive and hands-on approach, but also provides a fun, low-cost way to explore the beauty in our own backyards, neighborhoods, and New York’s natural areas. By participating, people will actively contribute to a collective celebration that highlights the significance of birds in our world,” mentioned Lauren Makeyenko, co-chair, Feminist Bird Club’s Buffalo Chapter.
The 2024 I BIRD NY Challenge is open to all ages and ends on Nov. 1. To full the problem, contributors should determine 10 chook species of their selecting and submit a problem sheet to DEC. Challenge sheets could also be submitted on-line through Survey Monkey or despatched through e mail or mail. Entries should be acquired by Nov. 15. Entry types are additionally available in Spanish.
All contributors will probably be awarded a commemorative patch, given a completion certificates, and entered right into a drawing for excellent birding prizes. Two youth and two grownup winners will probably be chosen. Participants may even obtain an additional prize entry for offering a photograph documenting their problem expertise. As an additional bonus, the primary 50 contributors will obtain a particular goodie bag of birding swag objects.
Birding fans can go to I BIRD NY at www.dec.ny.gov to access this yr’s problem sheet, in addition to discover info on the place and the way to watch birds, upcoming birding occasions, a downloadable Beginner’s Guide to Birding, and extra sources. Those can also choose to enroll in DEC’s month-to-month birding publication, Words of a Feather, to have birding ideas and methods, New York State Birding Trail web site suggestions, occasions, and extra delivered proper to their inbox.
