The Bay Birding Challenge

When: Saturday April 25th. Teams can report species seen or heard between 5am and 9pm on the day of the event (sunrise is 6:21am and sunset is 7:55pm).

Where: Teams can travel by any means, and bird anywhere in the 9 Bay Area counties. Teams may bird in more than one of these counties.

Teams: Teams can be no fewer than 3 individuals and no more than 10. Teams should stay together and remain within eyesight or earshot of each other at all times. If teams split up for travel or take other rest periods, they should not count species seen during these rest periods.

Scouting: Team members are allowed to arrive late or leave early as needed for personal obligations but no team member can separate from the group for reconnaissance or scouting purposes. 

Rare bird alerts and reports may be used if the source of the information is accessible by all Bay Birding Challenge participants. For example, eBird rare bird alerts or local rare bird listservs like SFBirds or EBBSightings may be used, but personal texts from individuals should not be used on the day of the event.  

Species Counts: Any bird seen or heard by at least 2 members of the team may be counted. Count only full species, native or naturalized, as designated by eBird’s taxonomy list. If it’s “countable” in eBird, it counts for the Challenge. Birds must be conclusively identified by sight or sound. If you are unsure, do not count it. 

Rare species must include a written description at minimum, and a photo or audio recording if possible. A team of expert volunteers who are not participating in the Challenge will be recruited as an arbitration panel. If there are identification disputes or rare birds reported, the arbitration panel will convene, review the documentation, and make a final decision on species identification. 

Playback or mob tape (recorded bird calls played in the field from a phone, speaker, or other device) can not be used at any time in the Bay Birding Challenge. Pishing is allowed. The Bay Birding Challenge is happening in the peak of spring breeding season and we want to ensure the health and wellbeing of the birds we love.

Data Submission: All checklists must be submitted through eBird by Tuesday April 28th at 9pm by emailing the link to an eBird trip report with your team’s name, and including all your checklists, to info@goldengatebirds.org. All backup documentation of rare and flagged species must be included in the checklists at that time.

Golden Gate Bird Alliance requires all participants to follow our Code of Conduct at all times.