So, why a bird race?

A bird race is a social competition with small teams birding in public areas. It is an expression of our joy for birdwatching and our commitment to protecting and appreciating our bird life. We reinforce our efforts by supporting conservation projects.

In a defined area, each team seeks to find as many species as they can through positive visual or acoustic identifications. In order for a species to be counted, team members must unanimously agree on the identification and at least 51% of the team must identify it.

Each team compiles a species list noting important visual or acoustic identification information. Single observations by just one team member do not count. Please consult our Rules for further details.

Small teams search for and record as many bird species as possible within a predetermined and designated race area.

Where?
A suitable area is chosen during the planning phase. Depending on the race, the area could be a very small, defined area, a whole city, a region, province or even extend across multiple countries.

Who?
Anyone interested can join in and sometimes there are special categories and prizes for, for example, youth teams.

How?
The rules are generally clear and describe, for example, what modes of transport participants are allowed to use. The use of birdcall playback is generally not allowed in bird races because of the potential for unnecessary stress and disturbance of the birds.

How it all began

The story of the first Austrian 24h BirdRace is one of collaboration and partnership between us, here at bird.at, BirdLife-Austria, the Vienna City Department of Environmental Protection (MA 22) and the magazine GEO.

Our collaboration started with our participation as an expert team in the GEO-Biodiversity Day (GEO - Tag der Artenvielfalt) in 2004. Working with BirdLife, GEO and the Vienna Environmental Protection Department (who already had their own Biodiversity Day team), we were able to successfully organize the first Austrian 24hr BirdRace in Vienna in 2005.

Since 2006, an annual bird race has also been held in the March-Thaya-Region and is now known as the Centrope Birdrace; a name that better describes the multi-national context of the challenge.

The standard rules for the Austrian BirdRace are as follows:

• The primary aim is to discover as many bird species as possible within the 24 hours of the bird race.
• A team is made up of at least two, but preferably three, participants.
• The majority (>51%) of team members must identify the bird species beyond any doubt. In a team of two, both must agree on the identity in order to record it.
• Teams must stay together.
• Only living, wild birds of natural, native populations count.
• Visual and acoustic observations count equally. All other records (track, signs, nests, etc.) are invalid, but should be noted.
• Only observations made within the designated bird race area are valid. Other bird races, such as in the Hungarian Tata (Tatai Vadlúd Sokadalom), also include observations made in peripheral regions.
• The bird race lasts for 24 hours (one day). Only observations made within this time period are valid. Teams may start anywhere within the designated race area.
• Do not use bird song playback to lure birds!
• The following means of transportation are allowed: all public transportation (bus, train, boat) and muscle powered transportation (bicycle, roller blades, skate board, horse riding, etc ...).
• Obey local rules, especially in woods, nature reserves and national parks: stay on assigned tracks (the Austrian Wegegebot law).  Failure to comply with this rule will result in disqualification!
• Trespassing: Visiting private estates and gardens is only permitted with the prior consent of the property owner/manager. Please do not disturb ceremonies or other gatherings, and be sure to be respectful and quiet when visiting cemeteries.
• Local competitions define a single target, where all teams meet at the finish. National or international competitions use various meeting points. At the finish line,  there will be a come together and a presentation ceremony.
• IMPORTANT: Participation in the Austrian BirdRace is solely at one’s own risk. The organisers and others associated with the event will not be held responsible for any damages, injury or loss of life and/or limb.
• The protection of the birds, habitats and the privacy of the local people and land owners comes first!

Points are awarded according to the species lists submitted at the end of the race, and are calculated as follows:

• Each positively identified bird species is awarded one point.
• Exotic or introduced species get no points. However, established and breeding introduced species (such as the Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus or Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata) do count, i.e. category C species.
• A Blocker bonus of 5 points for any species not recorded by another group.
• A super bonus of 10 points is awarded if a group records all possible species of a specific group of birds, e.g. all woodpeckers, rails or owls.

A note about the Blocker bonus: it adds a really exciting edge to the bird race as, by finding special or extra birds, teams can dramatically change their standing in the race. Whether this bonus should be five points (or less) is a subject that has been hotly debated. Whatever the final outcome of this debate is, the blocker bonus has become an indispensable and valuable part of the challenge.

Bird races take place in a number of European countries:

Hungary (BirdLife Hungary, MME)

Slovakia (Celoslovenský Vtáčí Maratón, SOVS bird marathon, BirdLife Slovakia)

Germany (DDA)

Switzerland (BirdLife Switzerland)

Great Britain, Scandinavia (N, S, DK, FIN), Greenland,

 

...and around the world:

South Africa, USA (World Series of Birding), India, and Bali