Take part in the 2025 I BIRD NY Challenge for birders of all ages and abilities! The challenge provides opportunities to identify and learn about birds, and awards program finishers with a commemorative I BIRD NY Challenge patch and a chance to win birding-related prizes.
Complete the Challenge by:
- identifying any 10 bird species of your choosing; and
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submitting a challenge sheet to DEC:
- through the Challenge Log online; or
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by downloading the I BIRD NY Challenge form (PDF) and emailing the completed form to BirdingChallenge@dec.ny.gov.
- Entry forms are also available in Spanish (PDF).
Entries must be received by Nov. 15, 2025. Participants can visit I BIRD NY for more information.
New and experienced birders can discover the thrill of birding with the NYS Birding Trail. The trail continues to expand with new locations added regularly through a nomination and vetting process. Fourteen new locations were recently added, bringing the total to nearly 400 sites! The new locations include Rye Nature Center in the Hudson Valley Birding Trail Region and 13 Nassau County Parks, Recreation, and Museums properties in the Long Island Birding Trail Region.