An online resource for students of nature and the outdoors.

Birding Classic

The Rites of Spring

Each spring a competition is held in Texas to determine which team can identify and count the most birds in a five day long event. Birding teams from all over the country flock to the coast of Texas to participate in the Great Texas Birding Classic. There is a youth category for those 8 -13, the Roughwings and for those 14 -18, the Gliders. Youth teams are made up of 3 - 5 birders and must choose a section of the coast to cover; upper, central or lower coast and which of 2 days they want to compete. Prizes are awarded to the winning teams.

Here's what you need to start preparing to compete:

• binoculars (unless they are landing right in front of you, binoculars help you see the birds)
• field guide to birds (because you will need to look some of them up)
• small notepad or journal (you will want to keep a list, since that's what the contest is all about)
• a hat ( if you are lucky it will be sunny and 8 hours is a long time to hang out in the sun without a hat - if you aren't lucky, the hat may help a little)

Happy birding!