Bernardsville, NJ - May 12, 2014 - The New Jersey Audubon (NJA) announced the Award Winners of the May 10 the 31st annual World Series of Birding - a competitive "Big Day" for birding and nature enthusiasts. Teams had up to 24 hours (from midnight to midnight) to count as many bird species as they could identify by sight or sound within the state of New Jersey. Each species seen or heard counted as one. NJA laid the ground work and gave participants, the playing field and rules to follow - and the rest was up to the teams.
Here are the winners by category:
URNER STONE CUP (highest number total species) - 218 species
Cornell Redheads sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Ben Barkley, Hope Batcheller, Brendan Fogarty, Andy Johnson, Luke Seitz, Benjamin Van Doren
STONE AWARD (2nd highest number total species) - 208 species
UMLY Band of Birders sponsored by Upper Main Line YMCA - Ben Bussman, Brian Raicich, Brian Quindlen, Rohan, Kensey, Nathanial Sharp, Danielle Smith
STEARNS AWARD (3rd highest number total species) - 185 species
Fly or Die - Dan Poalillo, Larry Scacchetti, Rob Scherr
CAPE MAY COUNTY AWARD (highest number total species in Cape May County) - 178 species
Swarovski SPNI Champions of the Flyway - Dan Alon, Jonathan Meyrav, Yoav Perlman, Tom Reed
LGA AWARD (highest total par; single county) - 129 species (Hudson County - 86.00% of par value)
Yellow-breasted Chattanoogas - Edward Borowik, Michael Britt, Vincent Koczurik
CAPE ISLAND CUP (highest number total species south of Cape May Canal) - 155 species
Zen Zugunruhe - Glen Davis, Dave Hedeen, Willy Hutcheson, Tait Johansson, Tom Johnson
BIG STAY AWARD (highest number total species in a single location) - 94 species (Tie for First)
Atlantic Audubon Sitting Ducks sponsored by Atlantic Audubon - Kris Arcuri, Thomas Baxter, Jr., Kevin Lippert, Chris Marks, Kathy Peterson
AND
Cornell Redheads Big Stay - sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Andrew Dreelin, Mary Margaret Ferraro, Nathaniel Hernandez, Eric Sibbald
SWAROVSKI CARBON FOOTPRINT AWARD (highest number species without motorized vehicle) - 141 species
Monarchists: LuAnn Daniels, Mark Garland, Megan Hedeen, Michael O'Brien, Louise Zemaitis
FLOYD P. WOLFARTH SENIOR AWARD (highest number total species) - 145 species
Rancocas Conservancy Brown Creekers sponsored by Rancocas Conservancy - Joe Costanza, Cliff Jones, Susan Setterberg, Karenne Snow
CARL ZEISS SPORTS OPTICS YOUTH CHALLENGE:
Division A (Grade 1-5 highest number total species) - 133 species
Eaglets - Maya McGrory, Faith McCarthy, Miele McCluskey, Gavin Wright, Ryley Wright
Division B (Grade 6-8 highest number total species) - 163 species
YMOS Marsh Gigglers sponsored by Maryland Ornithological Society - Daniel Irons, Jonathan Irons, Jack Pearse, Claire Wayner
Division C - Pete Dunne Future Leaders in Birding Award - (Grade 9-12 highest number species) - 203 species
YMOS Raucous Gulls sponsored by Maryland Ornithological Society Matthew Addicks, Kevin Ebert, Callum MacLellan-O'Brien, Alex Wiebe, MaryJane Breinholt
The World Series of Birding creates a fun day for birders of all levels of expertise - an event where local conservation groups, schools and youth groups come together to share their unique interest. There are several ways to participate: Level I Competitive Teams who vie for awards in several categories: Level II for all non-competing teams; Level III which includes a Youth Challenge for ages 6-18 within their respective youth groups; and Level IV, a Senior Challenge for ages 60 and older. In addition, Level I teams can elect to canvas the entire state; or limit their search to a "Limited Geographic Area" of a single county (LGA); or forego travel entirely and do a Big Stay, or go "powerless" for the Carbon Footprint Challenge.
World Series of Birding has changed the birding landscape, drawing attention to the habitats of migrating birds; giving birders a chance to put their bird watching skills to use for a good cause by focusing global media attention upon the challenge, adventure, and fun of bird watching.
Most importantly, the event generates a great deal of money for conservation causes. People directly donate to support the event or pledge their favorite team an amount per bird species seen/heard during the event raising over $600,000 annually - a total of $9 million over its 31-year history. The money raised is put back into our surrounding environment in ways that protect resources and preserve the habitats that the birds need.
"We are so excited about this year's event results," said Pete Dunne of the NJA, founder and now a 31-year veteran of the World Series of Birding. "All of the teams competed with excitement and passion," "and while trophies were awarded in select categories, I think it's safe to say that everyone was a winner this year - especially the many conservation causes for which funds were raised. We thank the 255 species of birds for loyally showing up again," Dunne added.
The first official World Series of Birding began at midnight on May 19, 1984, when just 13 teams set out on a 24-hour treasure hunt. Today, hundreds of participants take part in the event.
For more information visit http://www.njaudubon.org or call René at 609.861-1608 x13 or e-mail birdcapemay@njaudubon.org.
About New Jersey Audubon
New Jersey Audubon is a privately supported, not-for profit, statewide membership organization. Founded in 1897, and one of the oldest independent Audubon societies, New Jersey Audubon has no connection with the National Audubon Society.
New Jersey Audubon fosters environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey's citizens; protects New Jersey's birds, mammals, other animals, and plants, especially endangered and threatened species; and promotes preservation of New Jersey's valuable natural habitats.
New Jersey Audubon Society Headquarters is located at 9 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. Call (908) 204-8998 or e-mail: hq@njaudubon.org.
