The 42nd World Series of Birding will be held during the peak of spring migration, on Saturday May 10th (Scarlet Tanager photo by Andy Dettling). Birders from across the continent may be interested in wearing this year’s WSB artwork on a T-shirt that can be accessed from New Jersey Audubon.

The World Series of Birding could be described as a competitive birding marathon that generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for a number of worthy conservation organizations. Each year, the WSB focuses national attention on the challenge and adventure of birding – and it’s fun to be involved! New Jersey Audubon conducts this internationally acclaimed birding event that offers many benefits to participants, teams, and sponsors as the World Series of Birding draws attention to the habitat needs of migrating birds and raises funds for conservation work.

While the ultimate goal is to identify as many different species of birds as possible, while raising money from sponsoring individuals and businesses, the World Series of Birding (WSB) gives birders a chance to test and use their bird identification skills for a great cause. It also provides a welcome forum for interaction between birders, conservation organizations, and businesses in the birding market. Participation is open to all ages and levels of birding experience, and it all takes place during the 24 hours of time during Saturday May 10th. You can join the fun while raising money and awareness for birds and habitat conservation by learning more at World Series of Birding | New Jersey Audubon (njaudubon.org)

The Awards Brunch – Help celebrate the 42nd Annual World Series of Birding by attending the Awards Brunch at the Grand Hotel Ballroom in Cape May, New Jersey on Sunday morning. Doors open at 9am for a hot breakfast buffet and lively conversation with WSB participants and supporters. Remarks begin at 10am and awards are presented to the teams with the most species participating in the Zeiss Youth Division and the Level I Bird Conservation Challenge. Then each team takes a turn at the microphone to tell a quick story that sums up their day, or provides a highlight of the day. The Awards Bunch is the culmination of months of preparation and great birding for the teams, as well as the end of another memorable World Series of Birding event.

A Little WSB History – At midnight on May 19, 1984 a total of 13 teams of enthusiastic birders began the first of 42 World Series of Birding events, the brainchild of Pete Dunne. The mission was to tally as many different species of birds by sight or sound, with the objective of raising money for their favorite environmental cause, and to focus attention on the habitat needs of migrating birds. Those early teams, and the participants and supporters who have followed have succeeded beyond anyone’s dreams, and in 2025 more than 90 teams of birders are expected to vie for glory and their share of the excitement in North America’s most spirited conservation fundraising event, the annual World Series of Birding.

You Can Order a WSB T-Shirt – Each year the World Series of Birding creates a custom T-shirt that features a creation by an artist with ties to the event. This year’s impressive artwork was created by Jack McDonough, which adorns the front of the WSB T-shirt. The names of all the teams registered by April 14th are printed on the back, along with major sponsors. These prized WSB T-shirts are made of high-quality 100 percent cotton that are economically priced and available in youth and adult sizes; see New Jersey Audubon Society (njaudubon.org)