New Jersey’s 43rd Annual World Series of Birding launches a fierce 24-hour species hunt starting at midnight on May 9, drawing hundreds of birders nationwide. This intense competition challenges participants to document as many species as possible within a single day, with teams braving night skies and early dawn to rack up sightings and calls.
The race officially begins at midnight, when the majority of the state is still shrouded in darkness but the birding action has already fired up. While most participants bird from dawn to dusk, the most competitive teams dive into the night hours to target elusive nocturnal species like owls. In southern New Jersey’s wooded and marsh areas, birders listen intently for the Great Horned Owl’s “hoo-hoo”, the distinctive “Who cooks for you” call of the Barred Owl, and the eerie screeches from Barn Owls and Eastern Screech Owls—all only audible under cover of night.
In addition to owls, nighttime migration offers a burst of activity from songbirds that travel under the radar to avoid daytime predators, emitting faint “chip” notes in the dark sky. Some skilled participants use advanced audio identification to pick out these fleeting sounds. Other rare nighttime singers include the increasingly uncommon Black Rail and the haunting calls of the Eastern Whip-poor-will. By dawn, the buzz crescendos with species like the Chuck-will’s-widow marking the start of the morning bird chorus.
According to birding veteran Dan Poalillo, teams typically log over half their species by 9:00 a.m., then spend the remaining afternoon tracking down marsh birds like egrets, herons, gulls, terns, and raptors flying overhead. Patience and strategic location scouting pay off, with a brief mid-afternoon rest offered before pushing to maximize counts by nightfall.
More than 85 teams have registered this year, with participants traveling from across the country to join what has become a legendary event in the birding calendar. This gathering stands as New Jersey Audubon’s biggest fundraiser, channeling vital resources to wildlife conservation through enthusiastic birdwatchers.
The event has evolved with flexible participation options. Teams can focus on single counties, commit to carbon-free birding, or opt for a “Big Stay” by remaining in one optimal spot to attract birds. Importantly, most participants pace themselves rather than pushing nonstop through the entire 24 hours—a frantic non-stop effort reserved for the most hardcore.
New Jersey Audubon also fields Ambassador teams who bird casually without entry fees, prioritizing fun and conservation fundraising over competition. The organization encourages broader public engagement by welcoming donations to support not only their own conservation efforts but those of dozens of other linked organizations.
For birders and conservationists alike, the World Series of Birding isn’t just a race; it’s a vital, high-energy spotlight on protecting bird habitats and strengthening awareness nationwide. The countdown to the birding marathon is on, with eyes and ears tuned to the skies and woods from midnight forward.
To get involved, support teams, or learn more, visit www.njaudubon.org and follow live updates on the epic 24-hour birding challenge shaping up to electrify New Jersey’s natural world this weekend.
