The Bayou Birding Bon Temps is a statewide birding event with the objective of promoting birdwatching in Louisiana and developing checklists for birding sites.

Who: Any birder in good standing is encouraged to participate

When: April 24-May 3, 2009

Where: Birding trail sites, National Wildlife Refuges, and Louisiana Wildlife Management Areas

Louisiana has a long tradition of nature study with ornithological giants such as Catesby, Wilson, and Audubon exploring the Louisiana Purchase. The Pelican State is rich in bird abundance and diversity with a stalwart community of birdwatchers. Louisiana’s birding largesse primarily is enjoyed by residents whereas neighboring states have promoted their natural heritage successfully as a tourist draw.

In the last few years, birding trails were developed for Louisiana. This is an excellent resource for both residents and visitors. The Bayou Birding Bon Temps will promote our birding trails to residents and visitors through a statewide birding competition. Further, we will use eBird.org to enter checklists by birding trail site. These checklists will provide valuable information for visitors curious about what has been seen where and when. This is precisely the information birders want to know while planning a birding trip.

Go here for Louisiana birding trail information

In addition to the birding trails, Louisiana's Wildlife Management Areas (1.4 million acres) and U.S. National Wildlife Refuges (600,000 acres) are included as event locations.

Go here for WMA information

Go here for NWR information

REGIONS

Because Louisiana is a large and diverse state, the Bayou Birding Bon Temps will be divided into three regions: Northern Interior, Southern Interior, and Coastal.

MAP OF LOUISIANA

Map of Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges
Map of Louisiana Wildlife Management Areas

CATEGORIES

Big Louisiana Day
(species count with adult and youth divisions)
This is a big day with a stipulation. Participants must enter data by location. Species must be recorded at locations, so observations between locations do not count and should not be added to a location. Determine location boundaries before you bird if you're unsure. If there are questions about location boundaries, let's try to answer them ahead of time to avoid confusion.

Big Sit
(species count in 17' diameter circle)
Pick a 17' diameter circle at any location and record species. Circle with the most species wins.

Big Location
(species count)
Single day and total period divisions
This category will certainly be the most beneficial to developing location checklists.

Most Locations
(total period location count)
This category is for the explorers. Participants or teams (must be consistent through period) which enter data for the most locations win.

Lagniappe Award
(Random birding trail location, all entries from location eligible for drawing)
A little something extra.

RULES

The following rules will help guide participants of the Bayou Birding Bon Temps. Participants should be familiar with and comply with the following rules. Participants should also be familiar with ABA's Code of Ethics.

Counting
1. Participants will count only full species as defined by the current ABA checklist.
2. Birds identified to a taxonomic level above species may be counted if no other member of the taxonomic level are on the checklist e.g. duck sp. can be counted if no other ducks are seen.
3. Birds counted must be alive and unrestrained. Sick and injured birds are countable. Nests and eggs do not count.
4. Electronic devices are allowed, but see ethics for guidelines.
5. For the first year, we won't require that birders form teams. The point of the event is to build checklists for birding sites so solitary birders should not be discouraged. This opens the door for rogue birders with active

Time
1. Checklists will be accepted from the dates of April 24th, 2009 -May 3, 2009. Participants may submit checklists no later than 12:00 AM, May 3rd.

Area
1. Checklists may be submitted for official birding trail sites, Louisiana Wildlife Management Areas, and National Wildlife Refuges. Birds seen en route to these locations may not be added if they occured outside of the site boundaries. It is the responsibility of the participant to learn the boundaries of the site.

Participants
1. If participating in a Big Day attempt. ABA Big Day rules apply with the limitation that only birds seen in event sites are countable. You can still send in your complete list to ABA, but birds seen outside event sites are not countable.
2. Participants may form teams if they choose. There is no limit to the number of team members. Teams should be formed prior to the event.

Conduct
1. Participants must count only birds unquestionably identified. If in doubt, leave it out.
2. Know and abide by the rules.
3. Share information with fellow birders, they'll thank you for the information.

Protests
Birding is about accuracy and honesty. If participants personally observe other participants violating the rules or spirit of the birding code of ethics, they may file a protest. This protest may result in the expulsion of the participants from current and future Bayou Birding Bon Temps events.

Eligibility
This event is open and free to all persons in good standing.