A month-long, outdoor scavenger hunt during spring migration!Registration for this year’s challenge opens on April 15.

 

What is the Fairbanks Birding Challenge? The Fairbanks Birding Challenge is an all-ages, all-abilities, month-long outdoor scavenger hunt during spring migration in the Fairbanks North Star Borough! The Challenge is open to everyone including beginning birdwatchers, seasoned pros, and everyone in between. You can participate as an individual, in a team, or as a family. The goal is to find as many birds as you can on the 2024 list within the Fairbanks North Star Borough during the month of May. All proceeds support the Alaska Songbird Institute’s Creamer’s Field Migration Station.


What’s new in 2024? This year we have a new list! Everyone will receive the same list. Each species has been assigned point levels. Your goal is to score as many points as possible as you spot each species.


How do I get started? The first step is to register. The registration fee is $25 for a team/family (including up to 2 adults) or $15 for an individual. We encourage everyone to work together! Once you register, you will receive a link to download your Fairbanks Birding Challenge registration packet, including your bird list. You will be automatically signed up to receive ASI Birding Challenge emails with upcoming guided birding opportunities and you will receive a link to the Birding Challenge website/message board with the most up to date local sightings. The emails will provide access to opportunities including weekly guided bird walks with Arctic Audubon Society, as well as ASI’s Birding Meet ups! These will be offered occasionally throughout the month-long challenge. Participants will be invited to join ASI staff and volunteers at a designated spot in Fairbanks to bird together. Watch your email for details.

We also encourage you join the Fairbanks Birding Challenge facebook group. Here you will find updates on bird arrivals, hints on where to find your species, and more. You can also post pictures to share with other teams! Share pictures on your own social media using #FairbanksBirdingChallenge!


How does it work? This year there is just one master bird list. The list contains kid-friendly/easily found and identified species, as well as some that are more difficult to find and identify. Each species has been assigned a point level. The goal is to accumulate as many points as you can by finding various species.

You have the whole month of May to find as many birds (and thus score as many points) as possible. As you find them, log the date and location on your bird list. Don’t forget to help others and celebrate your successes by sharing photos and stories in the Fairbanks Birding Challenge facebook group. For help finding and identifying birds, check out our Resources page. It includes suggestions for bird ID apps and other bird guides.


What do I do when I finish my list? At the end of the month, fill out the contact info and return it by mail or email using the information on the form. You can also drop it off in ASI’s office upstairs in the Creamer’s Field Farmhouse. Everyone who returns a list is eligible for prizes.


How can I win prizes? All lists received by June 7, 2023 will be entered into a drawing for prizes. There are also prizes for the most points and for the bonus birds.


Good luck and have fun!

Proceeds from the Fairbanks Birding Challenge support ASI’s Creamer’s Field Migration Station. Thank you for supporting research, education, and conservation at the Alaska Songbird Institute!