Remember, what makes the World Series of Birding different is the ability to raise money for the conservation cause of your choice.
Entry fees apply
You Can Still Get A Cool WSB T-Shirt Even If Not On A Team
Order now to get them by end of June
T-Shirts are $25.00 each
The front features a watercolor painting of scarlet tanagers by Catherine Hamilton. The back of the shirt is printed with all the WSB Team names and sponsors. Participants can order t-shirts while registering. Additional t-shirts can be ordered directly below and they will be available for pick-up or shipping after the event.
Need More Brunch Tickets?
The WSB Awards Brunch is May 12th in the Grand Ballroom at the Grand Hotel of Cape May. Doors open for a hot buffet at 9 am, and remarks begin promptly at 10 am. Stick around as we “pass the mic” so every team in attendance can share a story about their day.
Brunch tickets are purchased at the time of registration, order more if needed.
Please purchase tickets by May 5th, 2024.
If you have any questions about T-Shirts or Brunch Tickets please contact Shannon DeAngelis at [email protected]
Timeline
April 18
Team Registration for Inclusion on T-shirts
April 29
Level I and Level II teams must populate their team web pages
May 3
Registration and Sponsorship fees due
May 4
Brunch Ticket Sales Closed
May 11
World Series of Birding Begins
July 1
All 2024 Donations Collected
WSB Wednesdays Return!
Join WSB organizers and friends for WSB Wednesdays leading up to the Big Day, Saturday, May 11th. We will review any new information and take any questions you may have.
How To WSB
Read the Rules, including the overall event rules and the rules specific to your Level and category or division. You’ll need to choose your approach from the many ways to play!
1. Level I: Bird Conservation Challenge: For adults 18 and over on teams competing in one of six categories AND for teams raising money for bird conservation organizations other than NJ Audubon. $100 per team member plus brunch and/or t-shirt.
a. Boundless Birding (aka. Full state of New Jersey)
b. Limited Geographic Area (focus on one county in New Jersey using pars established by experts for each county)
c. Cape May County Only (not included in LGA above)
d. Cape Island Cup
e. Carbon Footprint Cup
f. Big Stay
2. Level II: New Jersey Audubon Ambassadors: For teams of all ages who want to gather for a great day of birding at the peak of spring migration and raise money for New Jersey 
Audubon’s bird conservation efforts. No fees except ordering brunch and/or t-shirt, which can be purchased during registration. And yes, you must register!
3. Level III: Zeiss Youth Birding Challenge: For teams grades 1 – 12 who want to compete with youth in their own age bracket. $20 per team member plus brunch and/or t-shirt, which can be purchased during registration.
a. Division 1, Grades 1 – 5
b. Division 2, Grades 6 – 8
c. Division 3, Grades 9 – 12
d. Division 4, Carbon Free Kids, Grades 6 – 12
Ask friends, family, co-workers, bird club members, or other people in your community to join your team. Assign a Team Captain to create your team and team fundraising page.
That person is the first to register for the team.
- Important note for WSB Teams raising money for bird conservation other than NJ Audubon. While registering you must choose Level I and a Category within Level I. You must also select “Other Organization” in the drop-down menu under Fundraising. By doing so, your team page will not include the option to Donate, and it will not include a thermometer indicating donations. NJ Audubon does not collect donations and redirect them. Instead, you can and should include instructions about how to donate to your cause and a link to make online donations to your organization on your team page.
- Next, Team Captains will receive a confirmation email that includes a link specific to the team. The Captain must forward the team-specific link to teammates so each team member can register, purchase brunch and/or t-shirts, and create their individual fundraising pages.
- Please note, you cannot join your team by visiting the team page. You can only join a team if you have received the team-specific link from the Team Captain.
- Also note, you can order a brunch ticket or t-shirt during the registration process. Even if you have no entry fees, please pay for your brunch tickets and t-shirts when you order them, unless they are being paid for by another organization.
- Friends and family who are not registering but wish to purchase brunch ticket by clicking on the BRUNCH TICKETS button under ACTIONS.
- You will receive an email confirmation for each and every registration and order. If you don’t see it, please check your junk/spam folder.
- Now is also a great time to set up your team’s 2024 WSB Trip Report on eBird and send the six-digit code at the end of the link to your Trip Report to WSB organizers at [email protected].
Have fun creating your Team and individual fundraising pages! Individual fundraising pages are only available to those raising money for NJ Audubon. Remember, NJ Audubon will be promoting the World Series of Birding and anyone can see your team page and your cause and choose to support your efforts!
• Start your team and individual fundraising campaigns! Get on the socials. Use #WSB2024 so friends and family can follow the action.
• Check out the Fundraising Guide here!
Time for scouting and making sure your WSB Trip Report on eBird has all the contributors your team needs. Don’t forget to send the six-digit code at the end of your team’s Trip Report link to [email protected].
• Scout and strategize. During the week before May 11th, scout for species and strategize about your day. Some teams plan their stops to the MINUTE. Others plan a route and find what they can along the way. Still others keep an eye on the social media and group chats and try to mix in new sightings, too!
• SHARE your reliable species during scouting week! WSB organizers will set up a GroupMe chat for WSB sharing. Please participate!
Rest up on May 10th and then on May 11th, go birding! Use eBird to keep track of your ID’s and continue sharing! Let the organizers know when your checklist is complete by emailing
[email protected], by midnight, please! Then, make your way safely to your destination for a great night’s sleep!
All final and official checklists should be submitted as an eBird Trip Report. This pocket checklist is intended to be a handy reference. It has been updated to reflect the same taxonomic order as eBird. Please note Bob White Quail and Ring Neck Pheasants are no longer countable in The World Series of Birding.
WSB Finish Line will take place 6pm-10pm on the main floor of the Cape May Point Science Center. Food and beverages provided. More details soon. 101 Lehigh Ave, Cape May Point, NJ 08212.
World Series of Birding Rules
2024 Rules of Competition
These rules establish the standards and practices applied to the World Series of Birding (WSB) event. The rules are in fundamental accord with
Big Day Count Rules established by the American Birding Association (ABA). Any differences have been made to meet the needs imposed by team competition.
All rules apply to Level I Bird Conservation and Level III Youth Birding Challenge teams as they are competing with others in their categories. Some categories may have additional rules that need to be followed. If in doubt, ask the event organizers.
Level II NJ Audubon Ambassador teams that are birding together should comply with these rules. However, since they are not competing with other teams for awards based on their final species count, certain rules may not apply. For example, 95% Rule are not possible when teams are dispersed across states or countries.
New Jersey Audubon’s World Series of Birding strives for inclusivity and welcomes all participants. Some rules have been modified or clarified toward this goal.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE. Failure in this
regard may result in the disqualification of the team. First and foremost, if birds are intentionally disturbed to gain a verifiable identification (ID), team members may be banned from competition depending on the nature of the infraction, and at the discretion of the event organizers (see Section XI. Call of Foul and Protest, below).
I. Ethics
Each participant must maintain proper birding ethics at all times as defined in the ABA Code of Birding Ethics. However, the WSB does not allow the use of electronic or recorded calls to attract birds or entice them to vocalize. This includes iPhones, iPads, any hand-held phones, or similar devices. Using such devices may result in the elimination of the entire team. Only “pishing” is allowed.
Teams should be able to identify species by sight or sound unaided. Tools such as Merlin ID, birding by ear recordings and field guides may be used to confirm or negate an identification, but not as the primary source of the identification.
Electronic aids can be used for identification while practicing and during scouting.
Teams and individual team members visiting private properties, National Wildlife Refuges (NWR), Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) or other identified places must abide by the landowners’
rules and regulations including securing permits and adhering to up-to-date access instructions.
The exception to the paragraph above is Great Swamp NWR. Refuge management has ask that the WSB organizers supply the names and license plate numbers for those wishing to explore the refuge during off hours or to gain access to areas that are otherwise off limits. Please contact the organizers if you plan to visit Great Swamp for the purposes of the WSB between Monday, May 6th and Saturday, May 11th.
The primary interests of all teams should be the welfare of the birds and safety of all participants. No birds, especially endangered, threatened or sensitive species, such as raptors and birds on nests, may be disturbed or harassed at any time before or during the event. While not a complete list, harassment/disturbance includes getting too close to sensitive species such as nesting raptors, flushing birds from nests or cavities or wet areas, and/or spotlighting birds during nighttime hours. See New Jersey’s Listing of State and Federally Endangered and Threatened Species https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/tandespp.htm, or the comparable list in your state.
Documentation of disturbance or harassment may lead to team disqualification, as well as the potential for team members to be barred from WSB competition. If you witness a participant disturbing birds, you should lodge a “Call of Foul.” See information at the end of this document.
II. Participants – What Makes a Team?
All participants must be listed on a team via online registration by 12 midnight on Friday, May 10th. Online registrations and submitted checklists are time stamped.
Team Members and Ages
Teams consist of varying numbers of people depending on their level of competition. An individual can be part of only one team.
- Bird Conservation Challenge (Level I) – team members must be at least 18 years of age. Teams must consist of a minimum of 3, but not more than 6 Designated drivers are not included in the team total.
- NJ Audubon (NJA) Ambassador Challenge (Level II) – team members can be any age. Teams can be as few as 1 person and there is no upper limit of the number of members as long as all are active participants.
- Youth Birding Challenge (Level III): – team members are designated in their category by grade (or equivalent). Teams must consist of a minimum of 3, but not more than 6 members. Designated drivers and/or mentors are not included in the team total.
Designated Drivers are part of the team ONLY as drivers. They may not alter or contribute to the route or strategy of the team or identify species while acting as drivers. Designated drivers may be added or released at any time.
III. Team Conduct
Teams must have a minimum of three individuals in the field at all times, excluding designated drivers or youth mentors. This rule does not apply to NJ Audubon Ambassadors (Level II).
Team members need not remain together for the entire 24-hour period. One or more team members may leave the team at any point during the competition. Members may join the team in accordance with the following stipulations:
Team members may leave for reasons of health, fatigue or safety, and can return as they are able. The 95% rule is applied to the remaining team members in their absence.
Team members must remain at distances that permit direct, unamplified voice contact at all times. Yelling and shouting disturbs birds and fellow participants.
Any number of non-birding participants may accompany the team, but these participants may not assist the team in any way in the location or identification of birds.
IV. Geographic Area
Level I and Level III teams must conduct their counts only within the boundaries of the State of New Jersey. Level II teams can count birds in any location and in more than one geographic area.
A team may cross into a neighboring state for convenience, or expedience, but no bird may be counted until the team member is back in New Jersey.
In New Jersey, birds seen in the Delaware or Hudson Rivers may be counted providing the observer is standing in New Jersey or short of midpoint on any bridge.
Birds seen in the Delaware Bay or in the Atlantic Ocean to a distance of 100 miles may be counted as long as the team member is within New Jersey territorial waters.
Any Level I team not designating a category at registration will be automatically included under the Boundless Birding category totals. Teams can only compete in one category.
V. Travel during WSB
All vehicles except aircraft may be used during the competition. Those competing in the Carbon Footprint Cup or Carbon Free Kids categories may not use any motorized conveyances from the time they begin birding until they finish. (See clarifications under these categories).
Participants are not required to travel in the same vehicle, so long as team members are within unamplified voice range when identifying birds.
All team members must comply with the traffic rules and laws that apply to their state. Failure to do so will result in team disqualification.
VI. Reporting and Using eBird
Each team must appoint an official designee who will finalize the team’s checklist in eBird, which will be submitted as a Trip Report (see requirements for details). It is up to the teams to design their communications in a fashion that gets their total submitted before midnight (or within the designated timeframe for their youth division).
Teams participating in Level I Bird Conservation Challenge and the Level III Youth Birding Challenge, are required to use eBird Trip Reports.
Teams in the Level II NJ Audubon Ambassador Challenge are highly encouraged to use eBird Trip Reports even if team members are from more than one state. If absolutely necessary, NJ Audubon Ambassador Level II teams can email their final checklists to [email protected] with the understanding that their results may not be reflected on the WSB website, nor included in the cumulative total.
VII. Counting and the 95% Rule
Birds counted must be alive, wild and unrestrained. Sick, injured or oiled birds may be counted if still at large in the countryside and not in captive confinement. Eggs do not count as birds.
Count only full species as defined and indicated by eBird. Non-native or re-established species may only be counted in accordance with the current Bird Records Committee list in your state. Flagged species must include a written description at minimum in eBird, and a photo or audio recording if possible. Flagged species do not appear as such in the final eBird Trip Report, but eBird will not add them to your list without additional information. All rarities will be vetted by the WSB Judge; the judge’s decisions are final as they related to the WSB, even if they are later negated by an eBird reviewer.
If using the official, printed checklist for NJ (updated annually), birds that are deemed regionally restricted, generally rare or otherwise difficult to identify, are highlighted in red and will require additional documentation such as time of sighting (hh:mm am/pm) and location (general location, nearest town, and county). If “flagged” birds are ID’d in other states where they may be more common, please note “common in this area.”
All birds tallied must be identified by at least two members of the team. Identifications made by just a single team member may not be counted.
Audio enhancement devices, other than personal hearing aids, may not be used.
Electronic or recorded bird calls may ONLY be used to assist in the identification of birds when not actively birding outdoors (i.e. it is OK when indoors, sitting in a vehicle, traveling between destinations, etc.). Online and phone app-based products may not be consulted until the team or team member has made its identification. They may be used after the fact to confirm or negate the ID. If there is any question, the bird should not be counted.
The use of spotlights, Q-beams or other bright hand-held lights is strictly prohibited at any time during the competition. Small, handheld flashlights may be used as needed for personal safety only (i.e. walking trails or local streets at night).
A bird identified as to one of a species or group (i.e. scaup either greater or lesser) may be counted as a species, if no other bird in that group appears on your list. FOR EXAMPLE: Scaup, sp. counts as one bird. Greater Scaup and Scaup, sp. still counts as one bird. Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup count as two species. Species not noted on eBird should be noted in the Team comments and/or via an email sent to [email protected] prior to midnight on May 11th, such as “WSB Total 151, 150 on eBird plus 1 scaup sp.”
The 95% Rule: Ninety-five percent of all birds recorded by a team (by sight or sound) must be identified by all members of the team. However, it is not necessary for all team members to record the same individual bird of any species.
Example: For every twenty birds recorded, one bird may be counted that was heard or seen by fewer than every member of the team, but by at least two members.
Example: Three team members ID a Belted Kingfisher and the fourth does not, the 95% rule applies. If the fourth team member later identifies a different Belted Kingfisher, the 95% rule can be lifted and the species has been recorded unanimously as long as the second bird was identified by at least one other team member as well.
Example: Nocturnal Flight Calls (NFCs) present challenges to even the most experienced
birders. A team may have one or two NFC experts, but unless all team members can confirm the ID based on sound alone, the species should be counted as a 95% bird if it is identified by at least two team members, or not counted if it is identified by only one team member.
Birds must be conclusively identified by sight or sound. Team members who are legally blind do not have to identify birds that are not vocalizing. These birds can be counted by the team, and don’t qualify toward the 95% rule when all remaining team members agree on the ID. Team members who communicate primarily using American Sign Language (ASL) or who use a Cochlear implant do not have to identify birds that are ‘heard only’ birds. These birds can be counted by the team, and don’t qualify toward the 95% rule when all remaining members agree on the ID.
VIII. Sharing Information
While the World Series of Birding is a competitive event, the event organizers encourage collaboration and sharing of information using open-source or globally-accessible platforms such as eBird, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other non-pay-for-service list serves and bird alerts, such as the WSB What’sApp. It is prohibited to privately share information between individuals other than team members or between members of one or two teams (i.e. texting a sighting to a participant on another team without sharing broadly). NOTE: World Series of Birding event organizers accept no responsibility for unverified bird sightings announced to the public; use of open-source information is a risk that is the sole responsibility of the team.
Certain locations are likely to be occupied by more than one team at a time, such as the Cape May Springwatch platform, Heislerville WMA and/or Forsythe NWR. It is inevitable, and natural, and good that birders help one another. Whenever possible, birds being shared by participants in proximity to each other should also be shared with all on a globally-accessible platform, such as the GroupMe chat group set up by the WSB organizers.
No participant shall pre-arrange to have someone scout ahead on the day of the event to tell them about staked out birds.
IX. World Series of Birding Branding Requirements
All teams are required to refer to this event as “New Jersey Audubon’s World Series of Birding.” Teams raising funds for organizations other than New Jersey Audubon must be officially registered for the event, follow all rules, and reference the event properly while using the official logo. Please see Branding Requirements on the Rules/Forms tab on the WSB website.
X. Checklist Submission and Team Totals
All competing teams must submit their final list for the day on eBird using the Trip Report function and following the naming protocols outlined in the instructions.
Checklists from Level II NJA Ambassador teams should be submitted via eBird, but if necessary, they can be emailed to [email protected] . Email submissions will be time stamped but may not be reflected in the results in time for the Sunday Awards Brunch. In case of duplicate transmissions, the earliest time stamped document is the only one accepted. If you are unfamiliar with the email process or eBird, be sure to test them at least one week prior to the event, and clearly mark TEST on any email.
Totals are considered final when they are submitted. NO alterations or corrections may be made after checklists have been submitted via eBird or emailed to [email protected].
In the event of a tie between two teams in a competitive category (Levels I and III), the recognition will be shared.
XI. Call of Foul and Protest
Note: A Call of Foul relates to a team or individual not following the rules, whereas a Protest means contesting a team’s species total. Any decision of the review panel is considered final.
The WSB strives to maintain the highest ethical standards. All participants in this event are, by the nature of their participation, committed to this ideal. Likewise, accuracy and honesty are fundamental to birding and this event.
If a team or individual team member is perceived to be NOT following WSB rules (either during scouting or on the day of the event), a Call of Foul can be brought to WSB event organizers for review and action. In the event that any team’s total is for whatever reasons suspect, any registered WSB participant may file a “protest” with WSB event organizers. Allegations will be reviewed by a panel of New Jersey Audubon staff and other individuals deemed necessary to review the protest and make a determination.
During the scouting period one week prior to the event, any rules violation should be reported immediately in the form of a written Call of Foul sent to [email protected]. Action in the form of a warning or penalty to the team or individual in question will be determined by the WSB event organizers. Photographic and/or video documentation, as well as the corroboration of others, will be taken into consideration. The final decision is the sole responsibility of WSB event organizers.
If a violation occurs during the event, a written Call of Foul must be received by event organizers no later than 5pm on the Tuesday following the event. The affected team’s Captain will be given 5 business days to present a defense of the allegations and the WSB panel will make a ruling within 5 business days of receipt. Because of time considerations, a Call of Foul or Protest may not affect team standings in the days following the event. However, if the evidence warrants, the panel is empowered to adjust a team’s standing and/or disqualify a team at a later date.
In the event allegations related to a Call of Foul are found to have substance, the team and its members, or an individual team member, will be banned from WSB participation for a minimum of one year. If the infraction is assessed to have given the team unfair advantage, their record for the year in which the infraction occurred will be voided.
In the event that allegations related to a “protest” are found to have substance, then the following may happen depending on severity: 1) the team’s total is adjusted to delete suspect birds from the team list, 2) the team is disqualified; its total, standing and any awards nullified, and/or 3) the team and/or and its members may be banned from any number of future competitions.
Final Reminders
Team members must be familiar with the rules of the competition before the event and abide by them to the best of their ability.
Team members must count only birds personally and unquestionably identified.
No team or individual team member may intentionally harass or disturb a bird or flush or drive into hiding any bird to prevent another team from finding it.
This is a family-friendly event, and all participants must comport themselves accordingly.
Teams participating as a group together must remain within voice contact at a conversational level of all other members at all times while birding.
Drivers should be just that, driving and paying attention to road conditions, speed limits and other safety considerations.
Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or substances, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited at this event.
All participants must practice common sense health and safety measures throughout the event. Have FUN!
2024 Bird Conservation Challenge (Level I)
The 2024 41st Anniversary World Series of Birding will take place
primarily in the great state of New Jersey on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The pandemic allowance for out-of-state competitive participation extends only to Level II
NJ Audubon Ambassadors. In addition to this document, which is specific to Level I competition, all participants must be familiar with the overall WSB Rules of Competition.
In a nutshell:
- Level I Entry fees apply to all competitive
- Each team must participate within New
- A team must consist of at least three and no more than six
- An individual may be part of only one
- Team members need not remain together for the entire competition period. One or more team members may leave the team at any point during the competition but birds may only be counted when a minimum of three team members are together.
- All participants raising money for NJ Audubon should work toward raising a minimum of $100 per team member in addition to entry fees.
- Team registration is required by April 21st in order to be on the official WSB t- Teams can continue to register until midnight on May 10th.
- All WSB participants should follow common sense health and safety
Rules Specific to Level I Teams
Please read the Rules of Competition document and note the additional rules specific to teams in this level.
- All Level I team members must be at least 18 years old or
- All teams must utilize eBird Trip Reports to tally and submit their sightings on the day of the event.
- All teams must populate their WSB Team page with photos and information about the cause for which money is being raised no later than two weeks prior to the event (April 29, 2024).
A team participating in the Bird Conservation Challenge (Level I) must designate the category in which they are competing. These categories define their Playing Field, and each team can compete in only one category. If no category is selected by the start of the event, the team will be automatically assigned to Category One – Boundless Birding. All participants must abide by requirements for the individual category the team selects.
Fees and Registration Information
Team Member registration: $100/person (does not apply to designated drivers)
WSB T-shirts: $25/shirt (does not include shipping) Shirts can be ordered during the online registration process OR after registration by sending an email to [email protected]
Sunday May 12 is the Awards Brunch. Tickets are $30 per person and must be ordered no later than May 6th.
Fundraising
WSB is the perfect platform to raise money for birds and conservation. It is expected that participants either raise money for NJ Audubon or choose a conservation cause of their own to support. NJ Audubon is not responsible for collecting or distributing donations made to individual teams if those funds are not directed to NJ Audubon.
When registering, select ‘Other” in the drop-down menu if raising money for an
organization other than NJ Audubon.
Choose Your Playing Field – Ways to Participate
I. Category One: Boundless Birding
Boundless Birding teams must begin and end their routes anywhere within the state of New Jersey. They may bird the entire state, or choose a region, watershed, etc. to achieve the highest total number of species.
II. Category Two: Limited Geographic Area (LGA)
The “Limited Geographic Area” (LGA) category is open to any team that restricts its birding to a single New Jersey county (except Cape May County, which has its own category).
The LGA competition recognizes the team that achieves the highest percentage of “par” for a single county. A par value, ie. the number of species likely to occur in a given New Jersey county in early May, has been established for each county and they are listed below. To be clear, team totals in this category will not be compared as absolute values, but as a percentage of the established county par.
(# OF SPECIES / PAR) X 100 = % OF PAR
Example: Team A birds Atlantic County and records 175 species. Par for that county is 193, giving them a value of 90.7% of par. Team B birds Passaic County and records 140 species. Par for Passaic County is 151. Team B wins, as they recorded 92.7% of par.
All par values were analyzed and revised by WSB organizers in winter 2020- 2021 and are revisited every four to five years. A county par value will be raised only if the par is achieved or exceeded. If exceeded, the par will be increased to the midpoint between the current par and the team’s new record.
EXAMPLE: The fictional Splendiferous County par is 100, and Team Birddog wins the LGA with 104 species in 2018. Therefore, the par is raised to 102 for the following year.
The pars listed below are effective beginning in 2021. Click here for details on which pars changed and why.
Note Cape May County is not included in the LGA category.
III. Category Three: Cape May County Only
Best known for its vast concentrations of migrants, over 400 species of birds have been recorded in Cape May County. More than 200 species have been seen in a single day – evidence of its everyday avian wealth. An array of habitat types and a wealth of protected natural areas make Cape May County and the Delaware Bayshore a birding region for all seasons, and especially during the World Series of Birding at the peak of spring migration. Teams may roam or be stationed anywhere in Cape May County.
IV. Category Four: Cape Island
The very tip of Cape May is separated by the rest of the Cape May Peninsula by the Intracoastal Waterway (also known as the Cape May Canal). Known locally as “Cape Island,” most of the 400+ species that have been seen over time in Cape May County have been seen here. A triangular wedge, Cape Island is about 6 square miles and contains birding hotspots like Higbee Beach WMA, Hidden Valley, The Beanery, The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (aka. “The Meadows”), and Cape May Point State Park, to name a few. Teams may roam the island as they choose.
V. Category Five: Big Stay
A World Series of Birding “Big Stay” requires that you remain in just one place and tally as many bird species as your team can see or hear in a single day from that single outdoor location.
Rules Specific to Big Stay (All other competition rules and ethics apply)
- Observations may only be made from within the boundary of an outdoor count circle whose diameter does not exceed 17 feet. The same count circle must be used for the team for the entire Big Stay.
- Only birds seen or heard and positively identified while team members are in the count circle may be counted (no leaving the circle for “ground- truthing”).
- Team members must remain in the count circle for as long as they choose to compete, within the framework of the 24-hour count period. If any team member leaves the circle for a brief absence, any birds counted in their absence are subject to the 95% If a team member needs to leave for a longer period of time for reasons of health and safety, as outlined in the WSB Rules of Competition, the 95% rule applies to the remaining team members.
- For any given Big Stay location, the team that registers first is entitled to the site. Other teams must select a different spot.
VI. Category Six: Carbon Footprint Cup
When participating in the Carbon Footprint Cup (CFC) teams may walk, run, bike, skate, row a boat, kayak, etc., but may not use any mode of motorized transportation while finding species.
Rules Specific to the Carbon Footprint Cup (All other competition rules and ethics apply)
- Once team members are in place and have begun birding, no mode of motorized transportation may be used while Team members may walk, run, bike, skate, use any type of non-motorized boat (canoe, kayak, etc.) or any combination throughout the event. Motorized transportation, if any, may be used only up to the point when the team begins birding and after they have stopped birding for the event.
- Any species seen or heard while using motorized transportation may not be counted.
- Any CFC team member counting species while operating or riding in any motorized transportation during the competition will disqualify the entire team.
2024 NJ Audubon Ambassador Challenge (Level II)
The Level II NJ Audubon Ambassador Challenge is a great way to participate in the World Series of Birding at your own pace with friends and family anywhere!
In a nutshell:
- There are no entry fees for NJ Audubon Ambassador Level II
- All NJ Audubon Ambassador participants are expected to raise money for NJ Audubon (a minimum of $100/team member). Remember – this event is a fundraiser for conservation!
- A team can consist of one person or many people (there is no upper limit).
- An individual can be part of only one
- NJ Audubon Ambassador team members can be from different states or even different countries.
- If a team is participating outside the state of New Jersey, when registering, its team name should include a reference to where it is participating, such as, “WV: The Mountaineering Merlins.”
- All teams are encouraged to use eBird Trip Reports to submit
- All teams should create a team page on the WSB website to enhance their fundraising
- The NJ Audubon Ambassador Award is given to the non-NJ Audubon staff/board team that raises the most money for This is recognized the following year.
- Teams wanting to be listed on the WSB t-shirt should register by April All teams must register by midnight on May 10, 2024.
All WSB participants should follow common sense health and safety protocols.
Fees and Registration Information
Team Member registration: $0/person – all pledges/monies raised by Level II teams
benefit New Jersey Audubon.
WSB T-shirts: $25/shirt (does not include shipping) Shirts can be ordered during the online registration process OR after registration by sending an email to [email protected]
Sunday May 12 is the Awards Brunch. Tickets are $30 per person and must be ordered no later than May 6th.
Other Information
Participants are strongly encouraged to use the WSB website for fundraising. It is a custom-designed fundraising platform. Fixed donations are charged to the donor immediately and added to your fundraising tally. Pledges per species are calculated based on the estimated total species provided during registration and immediately added to your fundraising tally, although not charged to your donor’s credit card until the final tally is established after the event. Donations and pledges per species that are mailed to NJ Audubon will take up to three weeks to post to your fundraising tally.
All monies not paid via the WSB website must be collected by the team and submitted to NJ Audubon by July 1, 2024. Money received after that date is likely to be applied to next year’s WSB.
NJ Audubon Ambassador teams include our Board of Directors, NJ Audubon center-based Century Run Teams, and teams composed of families and friends. Most do not bird during the entire 24 hours; and many do much less. All NJ Audubon Ambassadors have one thing in common: everyone has fun, and everyone works hard to raise money for NJ Audubon.
Each team should appoint an official designee who will enter the team’s identifications on eBird Trip Reports by midnight. It is up to the teams to design their communications in a fashion that gets their total submitted before midnight. If not using eBird, please email to [email protected] by midnight and understand that it may take a few days to post your final tally.
Have fun with your team page on the WSB website! Let your love of birds and commitment to conservation shine through to attract donors.
Teams are welcome to adopt one of the Level I category strategies, such as a Big Stay or Carbon Footprint team while being non-competitive. Describe your strategy on your team page. A very special award, called the NJ Audubon Ambassador Award, is given the following year to the “independent” (i.e. Non-staff) Level II team that raised the most funds for NJ Audubon the year before.
2024 World Series of Birding
ZEISS YOUTH BIRDING CHALLENGE (Level III)
Young birders love the World Series of Birding! It’s a great way to encourage outdoor activity and track the progress of their birding skills over the years. The pandemic exception
n that allowed youth teams to participate outside New Jersey has ended. All Level III teams must compete in New Jersey.
Not ready to compete or have team members whose ages cross youth division definitions? Create a NJ Audubon Ambassador team instead.
In addition to this document that is specific to Level III competition all participants must be familiar with the overall WSB Rules of Competition.
In a nutshell:
- Level III entry fees of $20/person apply (more details below)
- Each team must participate within New Jersey.
- An individual may be part of only one team.
- A team must consist of at least three and not more than six youth, not including designated drivers and mentors.
- Youth Division I & II teams (Grades 1 through 8) must have an adult Mentor over the age of 21.
- Team members need not remain together for the entire competition One or more team members may leave the team at any point during the competition but birds may only be counted when a minimum of three team members are together.
- The 95% Rule applies to youth teams.
- All participants raising money for NJ Audubon should work toward raising a minimum participants participants of $50 per team member in addition to entry fees.
All WSB participants should follow common sense health and safety protocols.
Rules Specific to the Zeiss Youth Birding Challenge (Level III)
Please read the Rules of Competition document and note the additional rules specific to teams in this level.
- All Level III teams in grades 1 through 8 must have an adult mentor. The mentor’s contact information must be entered by the Team Starter who registers the team. The mentor is assigned the task of keeping the checklist, checking accuracy and ensuring the list is submitted by the end of the time limit for the Division. See Mentor Responsibilities.
- All Level III teams must have a designated driver and any teen driving must abide by all New Jersey laws.
- All teams must utilize eBird Trip Reports to tally and submit their sightings on the day of the event.
- All teams must abide by the time and geographic limits set for their division (see below). That means checklists must be submitted as eBird Trip Reports before the designated end-of-day time.
- All teams must populate their WSB Team page with photos and information about their team and the cause for which money is being raised no later than two weeks prior to the event (April 29, 2024).
- Youth teams, including school groups doing the WSB as part of their school curriculum, may conduct their WSB Big Day on any day within the week immediately preceding the official WSB date (including the prior Saturday). All checklists must be received on the day the WSB is conducted and in accordance with WSB rules.
- Teams must compete within the school grade division, defined below, although teammates may attend different schools or be part of different programs outside of school. The school group category is defined by the most advanced school grade of the team members. No exceptions will be granted.
- Friends, family and teachers may accompany the team, but may not participate, aid or contribute in the location or identification of birds in any manner.
Fees and Registration Information
Team Member registration: $20/youth (does not apply to designated drivers or mentors although all need to be registered with the team). NOTE: If this presents a financial hardship, please contact the event organizers at [email protected] or participate in the Level II NJ Audubon Ambassadors.
WSB T-shirts: $25/shirt. Shirts can be ordered during the online registration process OR after registration by sending an email to [email protected]
Sunday May 12 is the Awards Brunch. Tickets are $30 per person and must be ordered no later than May 6th.
Fundraising
WSB is the perfect platform to raise money for birds and conservation. It is expected that participants either raise money for NJ Audubon or choose a conservation cause of their own to support. NJ Audubon is not responsible for collecting or distributing any donations made to individual teams if those funds are not directed to NJ Audubon.
Zeiss Youth Birding Challenge Divisions
Youth divisions are organized by grade, and some limitations to hours and geographic coverage apply to Divisions A and B.
- Division A: Elementary School – Grades 1 thru 5 (or equivalent)
No team member shall be past 5th grade on the day of the event.
- Hours of Competition: 5:00am to 8:00pm
- Geographic Coverage: Teams may bird in one location, such as a local park or on school grounds, or can expand their geographic coverage up to any two adjacent counties in New Jersey.
- The mentor may also be the designated
- Division B: Middle School – Grades 6 thru 8 (or equivalent)
No team member shall be past 8th grade on the day of the event.
- Hours of Competition: 3:00am to 10:00pm
- Geographic Coverage: Teams may bird in one location, such as a local park or on school grounds, or can expand their geographic coverage up to any four adjacent counties in New Jersey.
- The mentor may also be the designated
- Division C: High School – Grades 9 thru 12 (or equivalent)
No team member shall be past 12th grade, or over the age of 18 years, on the day of the event.
- Hours of Competition: midnight to midnight
- Geographic Coverage: Teams can bird anywhere in the state
- The mentor, if one is present, can also be the designated
- No team member can be the designated
- Division D: Carbon Free Kids (CFK) Challenge – Grades 6 thru 12
No team member shall be past 12th grade or over the age of 18 years on the day of the event. Carbon Free Kids teams will abide by the same rules as the adult teams participating in the Carbon Footprint Cup.
- Hours of Competition: 5:00am to 9:00pm
- Geographic Coverage: Teams can bird anywhere in the state
- Teams must have a mentor and/or an adult support person or small group to ensure health and safety throughout the day.
Rules Specific to Carbon Footprint Cup (All other competition rules and ethics apply)
- Once team members are in place and have begun birding, no mode of motorized transportation may be used. Team members may walk, run, bike, skate, use any type of non-motorized boat (canoe, kayak, etc.) or any combination throughout the event. Motorized transportation may be used only up to the point when the team member begins birding and after the team member has stopped birding for the event
- Any species seen or heard while using motorized transportation may not be
- Any CFK team member operating or riding in any motorized transportation during the competition will disqualify the entire team. The exception would be as stated under Rule II Participants (c) in the Rules of Competition, as long as there is a minimum of three team members remaining in the field.
- Please note, a CFK participant may wish to bike in some places and hike in other places and it is acceptable for a friend or parent to move the bikes and/or keep an eye on the Support team members are discouraged from accompanying the team in a vehicle for the entire day, as that defeats the purpose of the Carbon Footprint Challenge.
Using eBird Trip Reports for the 2024 World Series of Birding
IMPORTANT: To set up a Trip Report, you must use the eBird.org website on a computer. You cannot set it up on the mobile app. Go to your account, and My eBird, and find Trip Reports in the menu on the left side of the screen.
- Only one trip report per team
- Teams can have one contributor or
- eBird checklists can, and often should, be submitted as “incidental.” See
- Assign contributors in advance to avoid overlapping
- Not all team members need to be
- This requirement applies to all teams, whether birding together or
You must set up your Trip Report for May 11th in advance and share the last SIX DIGITS of your Trip Report link with the organizers by sending it to [email protected] clearly indicating your team name in the email subject line.
Trip Report Protocols for the 2024 WSB Everything except the Comments can be done in advance!
NAMING YOUR TRIP REPORT
- All Trip Report names must begin with “2024 WSB”
- Then, include Level Indicator
- L1 = Level I: Bird Conservation Challenge
- L2 = Level II: New Jersey Audubon Ambassadors
- L3 = Level III: Zeiss Youth Birding Challenge
- Then, add your Team Name
Example: 2024 WSB L2 Spectacled Screen Thrashers
SHARING YOUR TRIP REPORT
Please set up your Trip Report as Link Only or Public, so we can quickly check your list without logging into eBird. Share the last six digits** of the link to your Trip Report with WSB organizers in advance of the event. You may also share it with anyone who wants to follow your team, such as friends, family, donors and sponsors.
** Last year, we discovered that our email security team was encrypting some links that were sent via email, so we are asking that you send only the six digits that identify your Trip Report.
EDITING YOUR TRIP REPORT
EDITING is where you can add the narrative, comments and people contributing to your Team’s total.
To add contributors, click on ADD PEOPLE. They must have eBird accounts and you must have their exact eBird username or the email address they used when they set up eBird. Invitees will receive an email or, when they go to their My eBird page and click on Trip Reports, they will see they have been invited to a Trip Report. After they accept the invitation, any checklists SUBMITTED during the time period of the Trip Report will automatically be added to the Trip Report. If you end up adding someone part way through the day on May 13th, their checklists prior to being added will NOT automatically add to the Trip Report, so it’s important to get it all set up in advance.
Remember, you need not add everyone on your team to your Trip Report. Likewise, not everyone on your team must know how to use eBird. Only add people if they have an eBird account and are responsible for contributing to or submitting a list on WSB day.
The Trip Report Narrative should be set up in advance.
The Narrative box in your WSB Trip Report must include:
- For Level I Teams
- First names of all team members, should match registration exactly
- State
- Category (Boundless, LGA, Big Stay, Cape May County, Cape Island, or Carbon Footprint)
- Specific Location if LGA or Big Stay
- General description of strategy
- For Level II Teams
- Names of team organizers
- State or States
- General description of strategy
- For Level III Teams
- First names of team members, should match registration exactly
- State
- Division (A, B, C or D)
- NJ Counties to be covered
- General description of strategy
Teams can expand on their strategies in the Information box.
The Comment Box is reserved for the end of the day and must include:
- The Team’s Official Total (including 95% adjustments)
- List of 95% Species (Please list all)
- List of rarities flagged on eBird lists for review
- Trip Reports will NOT carry over flagged species on
- Time team stopped counting
- Approximate total hours actively counting and any highlights
When you end your day, please send a brief email to [email protected] with the following information:
Subject: 2024 WSB Results [Insert Team Name] Team Name, identical to Trip Report Format Official Total for Review*
Link to Trip Report, if not previously submitted
*The Official Total in your email represents the final word on YOUR WSB Team’s submission. Although it is possible to make changes in eBird after the fact, your Team’s total will remain that which you supply by via email by midnight and should correspond exactly with what is on your Trip Report on eBird at the time the judges check your team’s link.
Your email can also contain any other relevant information about your team’s performance.
COMPLETE VS. INCIDENTAL eBird CHECKLISTS
When you click on SUBMIT in eBird, it will ask you to choose between a COMPLETE CHECKLIST and an INCIDENTAL CHECKLIST. If you are only entering species as needed for your WSB submission (and NOT recording all species/individuals encountered at a given location), you should enter your list as INCIDENTAL. Only if you are following eBird’s protocols for a COMPLETE CHECKLIST (entering ALL birds encountered at a single site), should you enter your list as a Complete Checklist. Visit the eBird website and click on the HELP button for detailed information on eBird best practices and protocols. Please note, our colleagues at Cornell support the use of eBird Trip Reports in the WSB and appreciate your cooperation.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR END OF DAY!
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET TO A COMPUTER TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR EBIRD TRIP REPORT, PLEASE PRIORITIZE SENDING YOUR EMAIL TO [email protected] BY MIDNIGHT. WE WILL CHECK THE LINK YOU SHARED TO YOUR EBIRD TRIP REPORT AND IF THERE IS A NOTICIBLE DISCREPANCY, WE WILL CONTACT THE TEAM CAPTAIN. WE TRUST THE TEAM WILL WORK TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AT ITS EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
Finally, if you wish to register a “Call of Foul” or “Protest” against another team or an individual, please contact the organizers directly. Do not post such actions on eBird.
It is unlikely that all members of any given World Series of Birding Team will identify all the birds they report. That is why the 95% Rule was invented, and it applies to all teams.
Pete Dunne explained the rule as follows: 95% of all birds recorded by a team must be tallied and identified by ALL members of the team. For every 20 birds recorded, a team may count 1 bird that was not heard or seen by the whole team (but was heard or seen by at least two members of the team).
To figure the 95% Rule, use this calculation sheet:
Line 1 Enter the total number of ALL birds identified by the
team ( )
Line 2 Multiply that number by 0.05
( x 0.05 = )
Line 3 Record the number of birds that at least 2 team members identified, but not all team members ( )
Line 4. Compare the number you calculated on Line 2 with the number on Line 3.
a.If the number recorded on Line 2 is greater than the number recorded on Line 3, your Official Total for the day is the number on Line 1.
b.If the number recorded on Line 3 is greater than the number recorded on Line 2, your Official Total for the day is Line 1 minus the difference between Line 3 and Line 2.
Line 1 – (Line 3 minus Line 2 ) = Official Total
(see Example 2)
If you are using the phone app, you can identify the “95%” birds throughout the day. The app will calculate the appropriate number of birds for your Official Total.
EXAMPLE 1
Line 1 Enter the total number of ALL birds identi- fied by the team(186)
Line 2 Multiply that number by 0.05
(186 x 0.05 = 9.3) Round down to 9
Line 3 Record the number of birds that at least 2 team members identified, but not all team members ( 6 )
Line 4 Compare the number you calculated on Line 2 with the number on Line 3.
If the number recorded on Line 2 is greater than the number recorded on Line 3, your Official Total for the day is Line 1.
Line 2 (9) is greater than Line 3 (6). Therefore, Official Total = Line 1(186)
EXAMPLE 2
Line 1 Enter the total number of ALL birds identi- fied by the team(158)
Line 2 Multiply that number by 0.05
(158 x 0.05 = 7.9) Round up to 8
Line 3 Record the number of birds that at least 2 team members identified, but not all team members ( 12 )
Line 4 Compare the number you calculated on Line 2 with the number on Line 3.
If the number recorded on Line 3 is greater than the number recorded on Line 2, your Official Total for the day isLine1 minus the difference between Line 2 and Line 3.
Line 3 (12) is greater than Line 2 (7).
The Official Total = Line1(158) – (12 – 7) Official Total = 153
- WSB Logo on White Background (.jpg): Click Here
- NJ Audubon Logo on White Background (.jpg): Click Here
WSB Branding Requirements
WSB Team Captains should be on the lookout for important emails from the organizers.
Additional Information
Tips for using the WSB Website
Logging in as an existing user
- Go to the WSB website at “worldseriesofbirding.org”
- Click on “My Account” in the menu at the top of the page
- Enter the Username and Password that you created when you registered for the event
- Click the “Log In” button
Once logged in, Team captains can customize their team page, add photos to the team gallery, and set or change their team fundraising goal. They can also view the list of donations to the team and change their contact info. Other team members will be able to upload a personal profile photo and change their contact info.
When you are finished, you can log out of the site by clicking on the “Log Out” button
Editing your Team Page
- Log in to the WSB Website (see instructions above)
- Click on the “Your Team” menu, then select “Customize your team page”
- Under the “Your page message:” section, you can edit the text that you want your friends, family, and supporters to see when they visit your team page. You can use the formatting tools provided to bold/italicize text, add tables and bulleted lists, and indent or center text.
- Click on the “Save Changes” button when you are finished editing your page
Adding Photos
Remember all Level I teams must have at least one photo and a team description on their team page at least two weeks in advance of the event to be eligible to compete.
- Log in to the WSB Website (see instructions above)
- Click on the “Your Team” menu, then select “Manage team page photos”
- Click on the “Upload New Images” button
- Browse to the photos on your computer and specify the photo you want to upload
- Enter an optional caption for your photo and then click on the “Submit” button
- Your team Photo Gallery will display at the top of your team Visitors can scroll through multiple photos by using the arrows provided.
If you Forget your Password
- Go to the WSB website at “worldseriesofbirding.org”
- Click on “My Account” in the menu at the top of the page
- Click on the “Forgot your username or password?” link
- Enter the email address you specified when you registered for the event and click on the “Email me my access code” button
- Check your email and follow instructions provided to reset your
Tips for Building Your Team Page for Team Captains/Creators
Remember: You will want your team page looking fun and cool when you start your fundraising efforts!
- Select the images you plan to use and make sure their sizes are 2MB or smaller; you may have to compress the Suggestions include: Your team in the field, target species, some artwork related to your team. You will need one head shot of yourself for your personal profile picture. Your teammates can add their profile pictures when they join the team.
- Think about what you’re going to say about your team in the Introduce yourselves. Talk about your fundraising efforts: for whom and why? Talk about your route or strategy including favorite locations.
- Log into org under the “MY ACCOUNT” with the username and password you created when you registered the team. Start with “MY ACCOUNT” and click on the drop-down menu. Click on each of the options to verify and/or augment your personal information and add a photo of yourself under “Change your profile picture.”
Here, you will upload a photo, preferably a headshot, and when you click on “Make this my Profile Picture,”
the photo will pop up larger and the system will allow you to crop it down to the size you like.
The system will also allow you to add a caption that will appear in the lower righthand corner of the photo if used in other places.
- Next, click on “YOUR TEAM.” This page will appear differently for Captains so they can build the Team Page.
Here, you can add the pictures you want to use on your team page. You can add lots of photos as long as each is less than 2MB in size. Remember to add a caption to each photo. Click on
“Customize Your Team Page” to add a description of your team, its members and its fundraising goals. If you are raising money for an organization other than NJ Audubon, you CAN and SHOULD put a link to your fundraising website and/or detailed information about how to donate to your cause in your team description. NJ Audubon does not collect donations for other organizations.
- You must choose one photo that will become your Team’s profile picture, which is the photo that appears next to your team name on the list of teams on the website. Similar to when you added your personal profile picture, clicking on the photo will render a large version and it will require you to crop it down to a smaller size. After that, you can keep adding more photos and captions to the rotating photo album on your team page by clicking on “Upload a New Image.” You can also change your team profile photo anytime.
The result looks like this:
And you can check out the Spectacled Screen Thrasher’s team page here: World Series of Birding 2021
- Finally, go back to Your Team and click on “View my Team Page” in the drop down menu to check it out. You can go back and change or update your team page at any time. Keep it fresh and fun to attract new donors.
New Jersey Audubon will be promoting the World Series of Birding very aggressively, especially through social media. A complete stranger could click on www.worldseriesofbirding.org, scan the teams and pick yours for a donation if it connects to their interests!
- The Role of Youth Team Mentor
- Suggested Strategy for Youth
- Logistics and Planning Your Day
- New Jersey at the Crossroads of Migration
Practice and promote respectful, enjoyable, and thoughtful birding as defined in this code
1. Respect and promote birds and their environment.
(a) Support the conservation of birds and their habitats. Engage in and promote bird-friendly practices whenever possible, such as keeping cats and other domestic animals indoors or controlled, acting to prevent window strikes, maintaining safe feeding stations, landscaping with native plants, drinking shade-grown coffee, and advocating for conservation policies. Be mindful of any negative environmental impacts of your activities, including contributing to climate change. Reduce or offset such impacts as much as you are able.
(b) Avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger. Be particularly cautious around active nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display sites, and feeding sites. Limit the use of recordings and other audio methods of attracting birds, particularly in heavily birded areas, for species that are rare in the area, and for species that are threatened or endangered. Always exercise caution and restraint when photographing, recording, or otherwise approaching birds.
(c) Always minimize habitat disturbance. Consider the benefits of staying on trails, preserving snags, and similar practices.
2. Respect and promote the birding community and its individual members.
(a) Be an exemplary ethical role model by following this Code and leading by example. Always bird and report with honesty and integrity.
(b) Respect the interests, rights, and skill levels of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience and be especially helpful to beginning birders.
(c) Share bird observations freely, provided such reporting would not violate other sections of this Code, as birders, ornithologists, and conservationists derive considerable benefit from publicly available bird sightings.
(d) Approach instances of perceived unethical birding behavior with sensitivity and respect; try to resolve the matter in a positive manner, keeping in mind that perspectives vary. Use the situation as an opportunity to teach by example and to introduce more people to this Code.
(e) In group birding situations, promote knowledge by everyone in the group of the practices in this Code and ensure that the group does not unduly interfere with others using the same area.
3. Respect and promote the law and the rights of others.
(a) Never enter private property without the landowner’s permission. Respect the interests of and interact positively with people living in the area where you are birding.
(b) Familiarize yourself with and follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing activities at your birding location. In particular, be aware of regulations related to birds, such as disturbance of protected nesting areas or sensitive habitats, and the use of audio or food lures.
More information at the American Birding Association
(Also included in online registration)
(Note: parents/guardians of all participating minors must sign this agreement)
World Series of Birding Release and Indemnification Agreement
This agreement must be completed by anyone participating in the World Series of Birding on May 11, 2024. It is included in your online registration; paper copies are only required for teams who file a paper registration.
Please return this form along with your entry application (if applicable) by APRIL
6, 2024 to: New Jersey Audubon’s World Series of Birding, 2350 Rt 47, Building 1, Woodbine, NJ 08270
In consideration for being permitted to participate in the World Series of Birding (“WSB”) hosted by the New Jersey Audubon (“Host”) as a team member, driver, volunteer or otherwise, I hereby agree to the following:
I acknowledge that participating in the WSB as a team member, driver, volunteer or otherwise, carries inherent risks and dangers which include, without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury, permanent disability, paralysis and death; loss or damage to property; exposure to extreme conditions and circumstances; injuries, harm or damage arising from the negligence of others; accidents, illness, contact or collision with other participants, vehicles, or other natural or manmade objects; dangers arising from adverse weather conditions; and other undefined harm or damage which may not be readily foreseeable. I expressly acknowledge my full understanding of such risks and assume all the risks involved in participating in the WSB.
I have read, understand, and agree to comply with all terms and conditions of participating in the WSB including those presented in the Rules/Forms tab of the WSB website, namely the Rules of Competition for 2024 and the other Rules documents for the Level in which I will participate, and the American Birding Association’s Code of Birding Ethics. Failure of any individual to comply with the terms describe above will result in disqualification of the entre team.
I understand that alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or substances, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited at the WSB.
I agree to allow Host and its designees to use my name, photograph, likeness, or other indicia of my persona for advertising and promotional purposes worldwide, in any medium, to the extent permitted by law, without notice or compensation.
I, HEREBY, FOR MYSELF, MY HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND ANYONE WHO MAY TAKE BY OR THROUGH ME, FULLY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE HOST AND WSB SPONSORS, ORGANIZERS, PARTICIPANTS, VOLUNTEERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE IN ANY MANNER INVOLVED IN THE WSB, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS,
(COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, AND LIABILITIES, ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE WSB, UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY INCLUDING THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
I FURTHER AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE RELEASED PARTIES FOR, FROM, AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, INCLUDING CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE RELEASED PARTIES’ OWN NEGLIGENCE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, LAWSUITS, PROCEEDINGS, RECOVERIES, JUDGMENTS, EXECUTIONS, LOSSES, COSTS, PENALTIES, FINES, CONSEQUENCES AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LITIGATION COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, AS WELL AS SUCH COSTS, EXPENSES AND FEES AS MAY BE INCURRED BY ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES IN ESTABLISHING AND ENFORCING ITS RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION HEREUNDER) WHICH MAY BE MADE, HAD, BROUGHT OR RECOVERED AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES OR ANY OF THEM ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO MY PARTICIPATION IN THE WSB.
This agreement shall be governed by and performance construed under the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. Each party to this agreement hereby agrees that any suit, action or other proceeding of any type whatsoever arising out of this agreement or participation in the WSB shall be heard solely in any state or federal court in the State of New Jersey and any other court in the United States competent to hear appeals from such courts, and each party hereby irrevocably submits to the subject mater and personal jurisdictions of such courts for such purposes.
The parties hereto waive their right to trial by jury in any judicial proceeding brought in connection herewith or relating to any breach hereof.
By checking the box below, it represents my signature or the signature of a legal guardian representing a minor*. In the event that I am the parent or legal guardian of a minor, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the contents of this agreement and agree to be bound by it on behalf of myself and my child.
Updated January 1, 2024
I HAVE READ, FULLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL OF THE FOREGOING. I REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT I AM OF THE AGE OF MAJORITY IN MY STATE OF RESIDENCE, THAT I AM OF SOUND MIND AND THAT MY SIGNATURE WAS NOT OBTAINED VIA COERCION, DURESS OR OTHER ILLICIT MEANS. FURTHERMORE, IF THE PARTICIPANT IN THIS EVENT IS A MINOR, I REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT I AM THE PARENT OR THE LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE NAMED INDIVIDUAL ON THIS REGISTRATION, AND THAT I AM ABLE TO CONTRACT IN MY OWN NAME AND IN THE NAME OF THAT INDIVIDUAL.
*ANY NON-U.S. RESIDENT WHO IS UNDER 21, ANY RESIDENT OF PUERTO RICO WHO IS UNDER 21, ANY RESIDENT OF ALABAMA OR NEBRASKA WHO IS UNDER 19, AND ANY RESIDENT OF ANY OTHER STATE WHO IS UNDER 18.
____________________________ _______________________
Name of Parent/Guardian Relationship to Minor
New Jersey Audubon has received a Special Use Permit so that competitive WSB teams can use the Great Swamp at night and enter restricted areas. The late-night and early-morning scouting can begin on Wednesday, May 8th, with the following exception:
Please note, the sections identified in red on the attached map are COMPLETELY OFF LIMITS until 12:00 noon on Friday, May 10th for the annual mentored turkey hunt.
Anyone planning to venture into the Great Swamp either after hours or into restricted areas for the World Series of Birding must fill out the form below by April 30th. It will ask for your first and last name, mobile phone number, license plate number and make/model of vehicle. If you are renting a car, please note that on the form and we will follow up with you.
Once the form is submitted, you will be added to the list. NEW THIS YEAR: Refuge staff has asked that you have a copy of the Special Use Permit with you. We will email a copy of the permit to you, which you can print or show on your phone upon request.
All WSB participants must exit the refuge no later than 11:59PM on Saturday, May 11th.
Participants must follow all other refuge rules and regulations during the scouting and event window, it is up to participants to be aware of all refuge rules and regulations.
Failure to follow these rules will result in immediate disqualification.
If you wish to enter Harrier Meadow in the Meadowlands, you must provide us with your name, mobile number, and license plate number and we will provide you with an entry code.
If you wish to enter Edwin B. Forsythe NWR after hours (8PM – 5AM), you must contact the refuge directly. 609-652-1665.
Printable Forms
Do not complete this form if you’ve already registered your team online. All teams should register online. Use this form only if you are absolutely unable to register online.
If you have not registered and paid online, please return any paper form (by April 18 for inclusion on WSB Program/shirt) with your payment no later than May 3rd.
All final and official checklists should be submitted as an eBird Trip Report. This pocket checklist is intended to used as a handy reference and has been updated to reflect the same taxonomic order as eBird. Please note Bob White Quail and Ring Neck Pheasants are no longer countable in The World Series of Birding.
Include photo metadata with verifiable photo of bird.
Only registered WSB participants may use this form for pledges. Please encourage your sponsors to donate online, so that their support is immediately seen on your team page.