about the film

 


 






 

...may sound like an oxymoron to you, but it makes perfect sense to the participants of The World Series of Birding, who convene for one day each spring to see which of the more than 120 international teams can identify the most bird species in 24 hours.















Not one second later.

• The contest goes from midnight to midnight.


• The playing field is the state of New Jersey.


• Any vehicle except aircraft may be used.


• All birds counted must be alive and unrestrained.


  1. •Teams may begin the event anywhere in the state, and follow any route they devise, BUT-


• Each team must hand in its totals at the Finish Line by midnight.

a film by Jason Kessler

Equal parts scavenger hunt, science expedition, and endurance test, The World Series of Birding is also a fundraiser, generating millions of dollars for conservation.  The more bird species tallied, the more money raised.











Past participants have included some of the most renowned birders in the world, such as Roger Tory Peterson, David Allen Sibley, Kenn Kaufman, and Pete Dunne.

    • One team mounts a paramilitary operation replete with infrared and GPS devices.


    • Another team does the event on foot, jogging almost 50 miles.


    • After scouting for weeks, one team has the entire 24 hours planned to the minute.


    • A Seniors team counts only the birds that fly by the bench on which it sits all day.

takes you along for the ride, with all of its competitiveness, camaraderie, and compassion.


In doing so, the film may be very first

nature documentary comedy!

with

Pete Dunne

David Allen Sibley

and Kenn Kaufman

“...the best film I’ve ever seen about birding.”

Pete Dunne,

Director, NJ Audubon’s

Cape May Bird Observatory