For 14 years, Vermont birders had a friendly cross-county competition. We all competed in the Vermont County eBirding Quest. Each county challenged one another to identify as many species as possible during the calendar year.
Part discovery, part conservation, but mostly fun, this year-long quest gave us all a welcome excuse to head outdoors and go birding. From the common to the rare, a diverse and fascinating array of birds resides in or passes through Vermont each year. Each county sought to document that diversity, with the added incentive of vying for the top honor of maximum species count. Vermont eBird provided the tool for that documentation.
The idea was hatched by eBird Vermont founder, Kent McFarland as a challenge to get people out birding, promote camaraderie, and better document Vermont’s bird life. We encourage each county to organize periodic outings for the birding-interested public.
After 14 years in 14 counties in the 14th state, the Vermont eBird County Quest has run its course. Some elements live on by popular demand at eBird Vermont: the County 150 Club and the Vermont 250 Club continue to record remarkable birdwatcher feats across the state.
