First-ever state ‘birding bowl’ offers prizes of up to $1,000

By: Paul Hammel - April 30, 2023 2:19 pm

The sora is an elusive bird that likes thick wetland vegetation. (Courtesy of David Rintoul)

LINCOLN — Bird watchers could earn up to a $1,000 prize by participating in a first-ever “Birding Bowl” in Nebraska.

The free, statewide birding competition will take place throughout May, which is Nebraska Bird Month.

In the competition, bird watchers log their observations into a web-based “eBird” system, which provides data for bird conservation while also tracking species across the state.

People can participate as individuals or as part of a team, but they must choose a category in which to participate:

Fledgling Flock — for youth groups, introducing them to birding.
Backyard Birder — for households that enjoy watching birds from their home.
Dabbling Birder — for beginner-to-casual birders.
Competitive Birder — for those who like to observe the most bird species.

Participants can win prizes ranging from bird feeders and a pair of binoculars, to up to a $1,000 cash prize.

To register and learn more about the Nebraska Birding Bowl, go to birdtrail.outdoornebraska.gov/birdingbowl.

The event is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with Audubon Great Plains and the Wild Bird Habitat Store.

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Paul Hammel

Senior Reporter Paul Hammel has covered the Nebraska state government and the state for decades. Previously with the Omaha World-Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha Sun, he is a member of the Omaha Press Club's Hall of Fame. He grows hops, brews homemade beer, plays bass guitar and basically loves traveling and writing about the state. A native of Ralston, Nebraska, he is vice president of the John G. Neihardt Foundation.