First eBirder of the Month Challenge for 2016!
This month’s eBirder of the month challenge, sponsored by Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, encourages you to get out there in this new year and see what you can find! In order to qualify as the first eBirder of the month in 2016, all you have to do is submit an average of one qualifying eBird checklist for each day in January. Our goal is to motivate people to go out at the beginning of the year (perhaps as part of a New Year’s Resolution!) and eBird what you find. The more eyes looking, the merrier. The eBirder of the month will be drawn from eBirders who submit at least 31 complete no-X checklists in January. Winners will be notified by the 10th of the following month.
January 1st. The beginning of a new year, and of course a new year list for those who keep track of such things. At the beginning of every January, there is always a renewed interest in seeing what you can find in the bird world. Whether this is going out and looking for rare birds that people have found during Christmas Bird Counts, or exploring your neighborhood or local patch for the first time in 2016, there is the feeling that you should be out there, seeing what is around.
We hope to encourage appreciation of birds in this fresh year through this challenge, giving you another reason to get out every day and see what you can find. It is a great excuse to visit a new place, perhaps a new eBird Hotspot: try exploring hotspots near you. Maybe you got a new camera during the holiday season, and are documenting your sightings for the first time: learn how to add your photos to eBird checklists. And of course, if you have a smartphone, all of this is easier through the use of eBird Mobile. Most importantly, no matter where you go or what you see, have fun! The birds are waiting to be eBirded—we’ll see you out there.
Each month we will feature a new eBird challenge and set of selection criteria. The monthly winners will each receive a new ZEISS Conquest HD 8×42 binocular. In 2016 we will also be featuring an eBirder of the Year—drawn randomly from the eBirders who qualify for all 12 monthly challenges throughout the year.
Carl Zeiss Sports Optics is a proven leader in sports optics and is the official optics sponsor for eBird. “Carl Zeiss feels strongly that by partnering with the Cornell Lab we can provide meaningful support for their ability to carry out their research, conservation, and education work around the world,” says Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, North America. “The Cornell Lab is making a difference for birds, and from the highest levels of our company we’re committed to promoting birding and the Lab’s work, so there’s a great collaboration. eBird is a truly unique and synergistic portal between the Lab and birders, and we welcome the opportunity to support them both.”
Find out more: