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Birding w/ Friends

American Bittern
American Bittern. Photo © Kevin Shank.

Five years ago, Aden Troyer (our Birders’ Trail writer at the time) suggested this contest. We did it then, and a lot of our readers responded enthusiastically. Let’s do it again.

Our goals for this contest are several:

  1. Have an enjoyable time with friends.
  2. Designate a circle that is large enough you can have a picnic, take shelter under a roof in case it rains, and even camp for the night if you wish. After all, spending the night outdoors might enable you to pick up some owl calls for your list. Maybe you want your circle to reach inside your picture window so you can add species you see while inside your home. That is fine too.
  3. Be flexible enough that your circle can be at home, at a friend’s place, or anywhere else you choose it to be. Maybe you want to combine this with a camping trip to a fun location. If so, enjoy!

And the fun doesn’t stop there. We are planning for some awards. Just what they will be and how many are going to be a surprise. Any award will go to the person or family who made the winning submission.

The Rules

  • Who may make contest submissions: Families with an active subscription to Nature Friend. You are welcome to invite friends to join your search inside of YOUR circle even if they are not active subscribers.
  • When: Choose one 24-hour period between May 1 and June 30, 2026.
  • Where: Choose a spot, and mark off a circle that is 200 feet in diameter.
  • Count the species of birds which members of your group see or hear while within this circle. Birds can be outside circle.
  • Send a story (and good photos, if you have them) of your experience and the list you compiled during your day to Nature Friend. Label with the names of those who participated, your subscriber number (found on the magazine mailing label), and your complete mailing address. A phone number is helpful. We want to receive the submission by July 15.

Send submissions to
Birding w/ Friends Contest
4253 Woodcock Lane
Dayton, VA 22821
or
birdcontest26@naturefriendmagazine.com

1-540-947-1636

$5 required if return is requested.

Birding w/ Friends

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    Date
    May 01 2026 - Jul 15 2026
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