NEBRASKA BIRDING BOWL 2025

This year, we had 457 registered adult participants and 307 registered youth participants from across Nebraska. Participating in this even helps us build Nebraska’s community around conservation, wildlife appreciation, and habitat protection. Many folks who participated also donated to the WCF for a t-shirt. This fund supports our nongame research and habitat conservation in Nebraska – so thank you if you also donated!

Now for the prizes! All prizes were randomly drawn from all those who completed the requirements in their respective categories.

Fledgling Flock Category – Youth Participants – Observe a minimum of 10 species and submit artwork or write about birds they observed

• Jenny Paden and her three youth participants have won a youth birding kits to support her birding journey. 
• Youth Birding Kits were made possible by our sponsor Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center & bird feeder and wild bird feed from the Wild Bird Habitat Stores

Backyard Birder Category – Those who bird watched right outside their door – Observe and minimum of 10 species and at least five eBird checklists

• With 37 species and 31 checklists, Melissa Hewitt is our winner, 
• Melissa won the Backyard Bird Feeding System (pole with flange & ground sleeve, 4 quare hopper bird feeder, squirrel baffle & 20 lbs of wild bird feeds) which is provided by the Wild Bird Habitat Store!

Dabbling Birder Category – Those who are discovering birding and birding locations – Observe and minimum of 20 species and at least five eBird checklists and one from a location on the NE Birdng Guide Map

• Sarah Alonso has won a pair of Vortex Diamondback binoculars, provided by the Wild Bird Habitat Store! A great tool to take her dabbling birders to the next level! 

Competitive Birder Category – Three tiers of participating, observe a minimum of 50, 100, and 150 species – All had to submit ten checklists, three of which had to be birding locations from our NE Birding Guide Map, AND document all rare species with additional photo or sound

• With 151 species and 61 checklists, surpassing her 50 species minimum requirement – Glenda Burgess has won a set of bird field guides (from NGPC and WBH Store) to further her birding adventures. 
• With 185 species and 114 checklists, also surpassing the 100 species minimum requirement – The $500 prize goes to Boni Edwards,  Provided by WBH Store!
• With 181 and 80 checklists, again surpassing the 150 species minimum requirement – Our $1,000 grand prize winner is Judson Buescher! Provided by WBH Store! 

Additional Prize Drawing
And finally, one lucky participant that completed any category requirement was randomly selected for a two-night stay at either Niobrara or Ponca State Park. That prize goes to Brenda Guillen . Provided by NGPC Parks.

To everyone who participated, thank you for making Birding Bowl 2025 such a success. We hope to see you all again next year! Thank you!

And to everyone else – we are looking forward to 2026 and the 4th Annual Nebraska Birding Bowl. Hope to see you out there!