The 2nd Annual Virginia Birding Classic!
April 15 – May 15, 2025
Registration open February 12 – April 10, 2025
The Virginia Birding Classic is a statewide birding competition in which teams of birders search the public lands of Virginia every spring for as many species as they can find in 24 hours.
All registration proceeds will benefit the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program, which awards annual grants to non-profit programs focused on connecting youth to the outdoors.
Choose to participate in either The Cardinal Cup—the Virginia Birding Classic’s preeminent category of competition in which teams of 2–6 scour the Commonwealth’s many public lands to find as many species as possible in 24 consecutive hours—or The Big Sit—a tailgate party for birders in which teams of as many members as you’d like choose a circle 30-feet in diameter within the boundaries of one of Virginia’s many public lands and record how many bird species your team can identify in 24 consecutive hours from within the circle.
How Does it Work?
- Pick a Team Name & Register Online: Register your team by April 10, 2025. Youth under 16 years old can register for free but must be accompanied by a registered adult.
- Pick When Your Team Goes Birding: Your team chooses a consecutive 24-hour period between April 15 and May 15 to go birding on federal, state, county, and municipal parks in the Commonwealth to identify as many species of birds as possible.
- Share Your Team’s Results: Your team submits one official team eBird trip report for their tournament day to Virginia eBird. Final eBird trip reports must be submitted by 11:59 PM on May 17, 2025.
Additional Documents
- Rules for the 2nd Annual Virginia Birding Classic
- eBird Introduction and Trip Report Tutorial
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- A Visitor’s Guide to DWR Properties: Best Practices for Ensure a Safe and Enjoyable Experience for Everyone!
- Results from the 2024 Virginia Birding Classic
Teams can identify excellent wildlife viewing opportunities by using DWR’s new web-based application that connects the public with recreation opportunities—including wildlife viewing—based on where they are, what they want to do outside, and how far they are willing to travel! Use Explore the Wild to find all the incredible birding spots included in the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail!
The Virginia Birding Classic is made possible thanks to our incredible partners!
The Virginia Birding Classic is powered by:
