Birder of the Year
In every issue of WildBird, readers can answer questions that might lead to prizes, such as books from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a gift pack from Swarovski Optik North America and even a Swarovski Optik binocular and a trip to a birding hotspot like Costa Rica.
The questions appear in the Birder's Back Yard and Lister's Forum departments in each issue, and readers' responses must arrive by the given deadline. Some responses – which typically demonstrate actions that benefit birds and/or birders – will appear in a future issue of the magazine, and two of those responses will garner the Backyard Birder and Forum Birder titles and prizes.
In the November/December issue each year, the Backyard Birders and Forum Birders appear with the Birder of the Year ballot, and all WildBird readers can vote for the most deserving candidate. The winner appears in the March/April issue and receives a Swarovski Optik binocular and a guided birding trip.
Look at the Birder’s Back Yard and Lister’s Forum departments in the next issue of WildBird! Do the questions relate to your experience at home or in the field? Send your succinct responses before the deadline to become eligible for prizes!
You also can read the most recent Birder's Back Yard and Lister's Forum responses and find out which readers won prizes and became candidates for the ultimate honors as Birder of the Year!
Want to see what it’s like to bird in Costa Rica with Swarovski Optik and WildBird hosts? Check out the trip reports from the most recent Birders of the Year:
2010 winner, Aileen Peaco-Burkett, and her report.
2009 winner, Dianne Patterson, and her report.
2008 winner, Connie Kogler, and her report.
Three Birders of the Year have explored Costa Rica with Swarovski Optik and WildBird hosts. Will you be next?