The 4-H Wildside Winter Bird ID Challenge starts December 1, 2022 and runs until February 27, 2023.
There are hundreds of species of birds that fly around New Hampshire throughout the year. However, during the winter, the population decreases when most birds migrate to warmer climates. The remaining birds are surprisingly easy to approach and recognize. The Wildside Winter Bird ID Challenge was designed to encourage youth to get outside, explore their natural surroundings, increase their knowledge of local birds, and get more in touch with their wildside.
When youth register, they will be mailed a logbook which they will use to identify and document at least six different bird species on two separate winter outings. When youth have completed their logbook, they return it to the Extension office. Individuals who return their completed logbook prior to the March 6 deadline will receive a limited-edition Winter Bird ID Challenge patch.
Register for the 4-H Wildside 2022-23 Winter Bird ID Challenge via 4-H Online to get started.
Donna Lee, Grafton County 4-H Program Manager
Andy Schafermeyer, Field Specialist, 4-H Healthy Living/Outdoor Education
Kristina Vaughan, Administrative Assistant
Here are the specifics on how the Winter Bird ID Challenge works:
Youth ages 5-18 can register for the Winter Bird ID Challenge in 4-H Online all the way up until the Challenge end date.
Printed Logbooks will be mailed out to you after you register.
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.
Using the descriptions in the back of the logbook to guide you, choose at least 6 of the bird species listed to accurately identify while you are outside.
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 while 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 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.
Return your filled-out logbook by Monday, March 6, 2023 to:
We will send your completed logbook and your limited-edition Winter Bird ID patch back to you after the Challenge end date.
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