Birding Classic raises funds for conservation grants

Austin—Notching a record number of participants, the 28th annual Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Great Texas Birding Classic raised $52,000 in conservation grants through team registrations and sponsorships to benefit native bird habitats and species. As the biggest, longest and wildest birdwatching competition in the United States, the Birding Classic has raised roughly $1.2 million for on-the-ground bird conservation grants since its inception.

The 212 participating teams included a record-breaking 1,250 participants. Not only did birders from all over North America turn out for the Birding Classic, but so did 420 species of birds, including hummingbirds, warblers, hawks, shorebirds and more.

“It’s been amazing to witness the growth of this event each year, and while yes, I see some teams return each year, the number of new teams joining the fun was fantastic to watch,” Shelly Plante, TPWD nature tourism manager, said. “Hopefully the Birding Classic becomes a spring tradition for all of the newcomers as well.”

Participants in the event varied from seasoned birdwatchers to first timers.

“I am new to this, but excited to participate. I’m definitely a newbie to birding and the tournament,” Kadonna Knape, a member of the Just Us Birds team in the Sunrise to Noon Tournament, said.

One unique set of winners made the Birding Classic a family affair.

“So fun that all my sisters’ teams won or tied for 1st place in the Great Texas Birding Classic” Joan Holt, participant on the Port Aransas Spoonbills Big Sit winning team for the Central Texas Coast, said.

The Family Flock team included three of Holt’s sisters and a niece, who all tied for first place in their Sunrise to Noon regional tournament. Holt’s other sister was a member of the Far West Texas Big Sit team, Lucifer Madness, which also won first for its regional event.

John Eaves, a member of Crotchety Crows team, participated in the Statewide Dispersed Flock Big Day Tournament. He was amazed by the variety of birds he saw and inspired his friends to participate as well.

“This was really a blast. I learned a lot; saw birds I did not even know were sharing my back yard. My teammates in Shelby County also had a great time and told me they were glad I clued them in on the event. They are diving deeper into it,” Eaves said.

The winning teams fund projects of their choosing thanks to registration fees as well as donations from event sponsors. This year’s conservation grants included a $5,000 Toyota State Park Conservation Grant, which will provide interpretive birding tools at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission, Hidalgo County.