Big Bird Race 2023

03 Oct 2023

Over 100 people across the UK came together to share their excitement about birds and celebrate BTO’s 90th anniversary in the Big Bird Race 2023 on 23 September.

The Big Bird Race, organised by BTO Youth Representatives, showed us how powerful it is when we all come together and enjoy the beauty of our bird friends. A total of 117 people took part, from total beginners to experienced birdwatchers, going on birdwatching races in a range of habitats to identify as many species as possible in four hours while using only green means of travel.

Selfie taken by the Crickley Hillbillies in the Big Bird Race 2023

For The Allsorts team from Staffordshire, the highlight was “everyone being excited EVERY time we spotted another bird (no matter how common!) and making sure it was recorded in the species list!”

For others, such as the Crickley Hillbillies team from Gloucestershire, the best part of the day was “finding birds that were ‘lifers’ for some members – Goldcrest for one and Green Woodpecker for another.”

And families such as Team Sandbrook from Cambridgeshire loved “being outside together for the afternoon, in the sunshine and the fresh air.”

Birdwatching for everyone

BTO Youth’s aim wasn’t just to teach people about birds, but also to make everyone feel like birding and nature can be for them.

BTO Youth’s aim wasn’t just to teach people about birds, but also to make everyone feel like birding and nature can be for them. By bringing together a whole host of experience levels and ages, everyone will have learned something new, made some great memories and, hopefully, grown a greater appreciation for birds.

Our thanks go to the BTO Youth Representatives for organising the nationwide Big Bird Race 2023, and to those who hosted teams on the day.

Prize winners and special mentions

Inland League

Teams in the Inland League took part over five miles from the coast.

First Prize: London Lads with 86 points

Second Prize: No Nuns Impeded with 67 points

Third Prize: Lambourne with 66 points

Additional prizes went to the team with the score closest to the median (middle) overall score, and the team with the second-to-lowest score.

Closest to the median score: Three Creepers with 40 points

Second-to-lowest score: The ‘Robin’ Hoods with 16 points

Coastal League

Teams in the Coastal League took part within five miles of the coast.

First Prize: Clochan Wonders with 66 points

Second Prize: Team Edinbird with 64 points

Third Prize: Penryn Birders with 55 points

Additional prizes went to the team with the score closest to the median (middle) overall score, and the team with the second-to-lowest score.

Closest to the median score: Bearded Tits with 49 points

Second-to-lowest score: Mafia Finches with 33 points

Intergenerational Gap Award

The Biggest Intergenerational Gap Award went to the Wandering Wilsons team, with an incredible age difference of 68 years, nine months, and 12 days between their youngest and oldest member! The team was joined, among others, by David (age 77) and Morgan (age eight).