{"id":2342,"date":"2022-01-25T12:44:19","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T12:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.zeiss.com\/sports-optics\/birding\/en\/?p=2342"},"modified":"2022-01-25T12:44:20","modified_gmt":"2022-01-25T12:44:20","slug":"part-5-bird-races-celebrating-the-variety-of-bird-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.zeiss.com\/sports-optics\/birding\/en\/part-5-bird-races-celebrating-the-variety-of-bird-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 5: Bird races: Celebrating the variety of bird species"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many mysteries exist about the origin of the bird race competition \u2013 to see as many different bird species as possible in one day. It is likely that it comes from the British tradition of the end of the 19th<\/sup> century, when they used to organize \u201cpigeon races\u201d. It was about which of the pigeons was fastest to cross the finish line. Today, bird races are about the variety of different bird species\u2013 and about enjoying the experience  of it  as a bird watcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bird races exist in all European countries. The Swiss probably were the first ones on the continent to start it already in 1990, other countries on the continent started first in the beginning years of 2000 on a national level. In England bird races are still very popular, they even have bird races that last a whole year and not only 24 hours like the \u201cRSPB Rainham Marshes competition\u201d. The competition in USA is strong not only with the Big Year but also with  World Series of Birding in New Jersey and Superbowl of Birding in Massachusetts. The big ornithological organizations also run bird races for youngsters to inspire their interest in birding. In Peru, where there exists a huge variety of bird species, the \u201cWorld Birding Rallye\u201d comprises a distance of 1,500 kilometers or 932 miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the competitions are organized by the national BirdLife organizations. The probably biggest and most popular bird race is the “Champions of the Flyway<\/a>\u201d, which ZEISS usually sponsors, in Eilat, Israel. At no other place can so many migratory birds  be watched as in Eilat in the spring. BirdLife highlights the risks which migratory birds face on their way, and collects money for the protection of bird migration. This year, a major fundraising campaign will support the highly endangered Turtle Dove, which is still a victim of illegal hunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n