Virginia Birding Classic FAQs

What is the cost of the 2026 VA Birding Classic?

Free! There is no cost. We have decided that it is more important to encourage participation than it is to generate donations, so we have waived the cost!

Can we try multiple 24-hour periods and submit our best one?

Yes. As long as you submit only one trip report link for one 24-hour period by May 17th at 11:59 PM and follow all rules stipulated in the Virginia Birding Classic Rules document, each team may make as many attempts as they would like, and their schedules allow.

Do we need to report the day we plan on going birding to event staff before we go?

No. As long as you plan on birding within 4/15 and 5/15/2026 and within a consecutive 24-hour period, you do not need to confirm, the day you plan on birding beforehand.

Can I be a part of more than one team?

Yes! As long as you register for each team, you may join as many teams as you would like.

Do I need to have a GoOutdoorsVirginia account to register?

No! We have made some changes to registration that no longer require a GoOutdoorsVirginia.com account, though we encourage you to create one to keep track of your event and license participation through the GoOutdoorsVirginia app and to learn about news and upcoming events specific to your outdoor recreation interests. Register here!

What constitutes public lands?

Public lands are areas of land and water that are held in trust for the public by the government (federal, state, county, municipal) and that are open and accessible to all members of the public.

We want to go birding on property that is open to the public, but not owned and managed by the public. Does this count?

No. Property owned by non-governmental organizations, corporate entities, or private citizens, even if those properties are allow public use, are NOT public lands for the purposes of the Classic.

Do roads and highways count as public lands?

While the public roads and highways in the Commonwealth are owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), which is a state agency, roads and highways are not considered public lands for the purposes of the Classic. This is a safety concern as much as anything.

Is it only DWR-owned or managed properties that count? What about state parks, national forests, etc.

Birding on all public lands—regardless of the government entity that owns and manages them—is allowed as long as all other rules are followed, including those regarding fees/permits and hours of operation (Rule II.4).

Is eBird Required? How do I use it?

Yes, eBird is required. eBird is an excellent tool for doing exactly what we are asking you to do: track location and bird species seen at a given time and place.

How do I use eBird? How do we submit our team’s checklist?

The eBird trip-report function will give your Virginia Birding Classic team everything they need to evaluate many submissions spanning multiple properties each, while also tracking where and what is seen in the competition throughout the years. See this information on how to use eBird for the Classic.

The event is during Spring Gobbler hunting season. Do we need to avoid public lands where hunting is allowed?

No. While accessing a property that allows hunting during an open hunting season requires a little more knowledge, preplanning, and courtesy, as long as the property isn’t closed for other uses during hunting season birders are welcome to access them. For instance, most of DWR’s Wildlife Management Areas allow hunting during Spring Gobbler season, which runs from the 2nd Saturday in April for 5 weeks (35 days), wildlife viewers are welcome to use WMAs as well. Some commonsense safety measures will ensure everyone stays safe and wildlife viewers and hunters can both enjoy their time recreating in the outdoors. Learn more about best practices for visitors to WMAs.

What can we use to identify birds?

Team members should base their bird identifications on what they themselves see or hear. Bird sound identification apps (such as Merlin or BirdNET), photo identification apps (such as iNaturalist), or artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted equipment (such as AI-supported binoculars) should not be used as the only method for identifying birds. Team members may use these tools to confirm their own identification with field guide pictures or bird song apps through ear buds, listening to songs of birds they think it might be to narrow it down or confirm the identification. Using Merlin, other apps, or AI-supported equipment to auto-identify anything you see or hear when you do not necessarily know the bird’s song or can’t see the bird yourself to verify an unfamiliar call is not identifying the bird yourself and the species should not be counted.

I will also be participating in the Virginia Birding Big Day Competition. Can my checklist count towards both events?

Yes! As long as the rules for each event are followed, the effort for one may also be applied to the other. Learn more at vabirdingbigday.org.

How do I decide where to go birding?

DWR’s public lands outdoor recreation locator—Explore the Wild—can help you identify places to go birding near where you are or where you plan on being. DWR’s Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail is a collection of great wildlife viewing opportunities in every corner of the Commonwealth. VBWT sites are included in Explore the Wild.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a number of useful tools for identifying, understanding, and finding birds, including Merlin, Birds of the World, and eBird.

What happened to the Big Sit?

We are reimagining the Big Sit for the 2027 VA Birding Classic as an inter- and intra-school birding challenge. If you are interested in supporting this effort, please contact kelsey.steenburgh@dwr.virginia.gov.

How many team members can be on a team?

2–6 total, including the Team Captain.

Does each team member have to register?

Only one team member needs to register the team, and they will be prompted to add, identify, and include contact information for their team members.

Will all communications and instructions from DWR go through the Team Captain?

No. At the time of registration, the Team Captain will provide each team member’s first and last name, as well as their email address. DWR will send any necessary communications to all team members to ensure the message isn’t lost.

My hat hasn’t arrived.

In order to forego registration fees, we are also no longer sending a hat to each registrant. VA Birding Classic hats are available for purchase.

We want to make our own t-shirts…is that ok?

Yes! Many teams choose to make their own shirts to commemorate their organization or just to show comradery! If you would like to include the VA Birding Classic logo on your custom shirt, email max.goldman@dwr.virginia.gov and we will send you the logo file.