2023 Buffalo Audubon Spring Birding Challenge

Registration is open!

Welcome to the 2023 Spring Birding Challenge brought to you by Buffalo Audubon and Outside Chronicles. This challenge will bring you to some of the most popular birdwatching hotspots across Western New York during the most exciting time of the year—Spring Migration.

Our goal is to encourage people to get outside with their binoculars or camera, find some of our amazing birds, and share their sightings with others participating in this challenge.  The Spring Birding Challenge is designed to introduce birders of all skill levels to some of the most best birding hotspots in Western New York. 

The Spring Birding Challenge provides participants with 30 tasks to complete. These tasks range in difficulty; some will be completed in a day, and some will take all Spring. In order to complete the Spring Birding Challenge, each participant will need to complete 20 of these tasks, with special recognition to those who are able to complete all 30. Each task must be completed in Western New York and the Niagara Region of Ontario. Participants will receive a PDF packet that will provide them with all the information they need to complete these tasks.

All proceeds from the Spring Birding Challenge go to Buffalo Audubon to enhance their education offerings and facilities.

Registration is $15 for members of Buffalo Audubon and $20 for non-members.

Challenge Rules:

  1. Complete 20 of 30 birding tasks between April 22, 2023 and June 30, 2023, inclusive.
  2. Complete the task by following the task instructions. There are 3 required tasks.
  3. Upload your pictures, sightings, and eBird checklists to the submission page.
  4. (Optional) Post your picture to Buffalo-Niagara Birding Group on Facebook.  Be sure to tag @outsidechronicles and @buffaloaudubonsociety.

    Check your completion status on the Birding Challenge Board.

Each person who participates in the 2023 Spring Birding Challenge tasks will be entered to win a Vortex Optics prize package (Valued at $300) that features a pair of Diamondback HD 8×42 binoculars. Each task completed after 20 will give you an additional entry into the drawing for the top prize! Everyone who completes 20 Tasks will receive a 2023 Winter Birding Challenge patch.

No purchase necessary to enter, please see contest rules for more information.

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