The second seasonal Wildside Challenge of this 4-H year is the Winter Bird ID Challenge starting December 1, 2022 and running until February 27, 2023. Have you ever hoped to increase your ability to identify birds but are intimidated by the hundreds of species that fly around New Hampshire? Winter is a great time to begin this education as most birds migrate to warmer climates leaving only a small number to identify. Those that stay are surprisingly easy to approach and recognize. When you register, you will be mailed a logbook which you will use to identify and document at least 6 different bird species on two separate winter outings. When you have completed your logbook, you can mail in or drop them off to receive your limited-edition Winter Bird ID Challenge Patch!
While you are out and about with your family participating in your favorite winter activities, take a closer look at the birds in your natural surroundings. This challenge is a Bird identification project: On any winter outing, you will need to accurately identify at least six different bird species that have chosen to call New Hampshire home all year round and record your findings about them in your provided logbook. Once you’ve completed your logbook, submit it to your county 4-H office and receive a limited-edition Winter Bird ID Challenge patch!
Hurry, because like migrating bird, the time to complete this challenge goes quick!
Register for the 4-H Wildside 2022-23 Winter Bird ID Challenge via 4-H Online to get started. You do not have to be a 4-H member to register - follow the instructions below to sign up. After registering, you will receive an email and logbook with complete instructions for completing the challenge.
Anyone that returns their completed logbook on time will be entered into a drawing to win a Fuji INSTAX Camera Mini 7+ bundle!
Christine Whiting, Coös County 4-H Program Manager
Andy Schafermeyer, Field Specialist, 4-H Healthy Living/Outdoor Education
Tracy Shepard, Administrative Assistant
Here are the specifics on how the Winter Bird ID Challenge works:
Register on 4-H Online
Youth ages 5-18 can register for the Winter Bird ID Challenge in 4-H Online. If you are not a 4-H member, use the help guides linked above to get signed up. You can register for the Challenge all the way up until the Challenge end date.
Get Your Logbook
Printed Logbooks will be mailed out to you on the first Tuesday after you register. You can also stop by the 4-H office in Lancaster to grab extras at your convenience. To schedule an office pick-up, email Tracy Shepard.
Plan Your Outings
On any type of winter outing with your family, 4-H Club, or group, look for birds to identify by sight and song.
Here is a list of eligible types of outings:
- 4-H Club Meeting or Event
- Snowshoeing
- Maintaining Bird Feeders
- Hiking or Walking
- Skiing
- Ice Fishing
- Snowmobiling
- Outdoor School Events
- Hunting
Participating in an outing that is not on this list? That’s awesome, add it. The point is simply to get out of the house and more in touch with your wildside.
Identify Birds
Choose at least 6 of the bird species listed in your logbook to accurately identify while you are out and about.
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Crows and Jays (Corvidae) Chickadees and Titmice (Paridae) Nuthatches (Sittidae)
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Finches and Allies (Fringillidae)
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New World Sparrows and Allies (Passerellidae) Old World Sparrows (Passeridae)
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Record Your Findings
Fill out a logbook section for each bird species. You are permitted to identify multiple species during the same outing. For example, you can identify several species taking a walk in the woods, at a 4-H Club meeting, etc. However, you are required to do at least 2 different outings to get 6 different bird species. The logbook has 5 components:
- Information section: Name of species, date of outing, town, type of outing, description of location.
- Picture of bird: Either a photo or drawing of the bird identified in the labeled section of your logbook (can be done on a separate sheet of paper and taped into the logbook).
- Description of Species: Describe the species you have identified using key markers (i.e., size, coloring, beak/tail shape)
- Feather: Photo of bird feather(s) or tape in a found feather of listed species.
- Description of Bird Song/Call: Identify bird species by their song/call and write down what sounds you hear.
Submit Your Logbook
Return your filled-out logbook by Monday, March 6, 2023 to:
Get Your Patch
We will send your completed logbook and your limited-edition Winter Bird ID patch back to you after the Challenge end date.
Drawing for a Camera
Anyone that returns their completed logbook on time will be entered in a drawing to win a Fuji INSTAX Camera Mini 7+ bundle!
How to Register for an Event in 4-H Online
If you would like to participate in a 4-H event on a one-time basis...
Help Guide: How to Create a 4-H Online Participant Profile and Register for an Event
If you would like enroll in the NH 4-H Program as a new member and then register for an event...
Help Guide: How to enroll in 4-H Online and Register for an Event
If your family members are already enrolled in 4-H Online…
Help Guide: How to register for an event in 4-H Online
If you need to re-enroll before registering…
Help Guide: 4-H Online Re-enrollment
