Can you believe 2022 is already halfway over? How are you doing on Evergreen Audubon’s Birding challenge? I know a few people have already achieved their bird species counts, some are close, while others are just getting started. So, what is the birding challenge?

In 2016, we launched the Bear Creek Watershed Birding Challenge to mark the 100th birthday of the Migratory Bird Treaty between the United States and Canada. To become a Challenge Club member and win the exclusive Challenge Club cap, you must see or hear the following number of species in one or more of the six geographic regions:

• Bear Creek Watershed: 111 species
• Jefferson County: 130 species
• Clear Creek County: 75 species
• Gilpin County: 64 species
• Park County: 102 species
• The State of Colorado: 171

These lists are not mutually exclusive; if you see a Dipper in downtown Evergreen, you can count it for the Bear Creek Watershed, Jefferson county, and for the State of Colorado. Where’s the Bear Creek Watershed – visit the Nature Center for details or check out our map.

Have fun with the challenge — visit open spaces or parks you normally don’t go to, join one of our social hikes, or birding or wildflower walks and become familiar with eBird‘s county sightings, like Jefferson.

The Challenge runs throughout the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31, 2022.

I know the numbers sound daunting, but you’d be amazed at how quickly your count adds up. So, grab your binoculars, head outside, and get started!