New Haven Bird Club: Eighth Annual Mega Bowl of Birding and Compilation Dinner

Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 6 am to 5 pm

The Eighth Annual Mega Bowl of Birding

Sunday, February 4th, 2024 from 5 pm to 7 pm

Mega Bowl Compilation Dinner at the Kellogg Environmental Center, 

500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby, CT

The Mega Bowl is a celebration of birds, birders and birding. The idea is to go birding in a specific area in CT (a count circle with a 5-mile diameter that includes your residence, or any town, or any county in CT), either on your own or preferably with a small group of your birding friends. You look for as many bird species as you can and are awarded points for each species you find. The less common the species, the more points you acquire. Prizes will be awarded to groups in several categories AND the points you attain will be converted to a monetary donation to the CT conservation organization of your choice.

Last year, 15 teams participated in the event and more than $500 was donated in their names to seven different organizations in CT. A total of 116 species were observed. This year, we will reintroduce the post-event dinner (not held the past 3 years due to the pandemic) at which people will get to share their birding stories with other birders, obtain prizes, designate where the donations in their names will go and enjoy a fine meal. There is no “catch” here nor is there a fee to participate.

Birders of all experience levels are welcome. People who are interested in participating in the Mega Bowl should contact Chris Loscalzo by email at closcalz@optonline.net or by phone at 203 389-6508. 

DETAILS: The Mega Bowl was inspired by the Superbowl of Birding that is held each winter in coastal Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Mega Bowl has evolved over the eight years of its existence. The basic format, though, has remained the same. People who are interested in participating can create their own teams or submit their name to me and I will try to match them up with other birders in their area to create a new team. Teams are encouraged (but not required) to come up with a name for themselves (I, for example, am a member of the “Winter Wrenegades”). The team should select their birding area in advance of the event. It can be a circle with a 5-mile radius that includes the residence of at least one of the participants, or any town or county in CT. All teams will receive a checklist that lists the birds they might see, and the points associated with finding those species. There is one checklist for coastal areas and another for inland areas. Birding is on the honor system, and there is an expectation that each species is identified accurately. More than half of the members of a team need to observe a bird for it to be counted as observed by the team. The birding will take place from 6 am to 5 pm on Saturday, February 3rd. All results should be sent to me that evening for compilation. Rare birds can be posted on ctbirds without delay so that other teams can go looking for them if they choose. Dinner will be held on Sunday, February 4th at the Kellogg Environmental Center at 500 Hawthorne Avenue in Derby, CT from 5 to 7 pm. Attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory. A variety of foods will be offered, including a few vegan options. Advance registration for the Mega Bowl is required, with the deadline being Wednesday, January 31st. There is no cost to participate. Participating teams can choose any CT-based conservation organization and a donation will be sent to that organization in their name with the amount sent proportional to the number of points the team achieves. The Mega Bowl of Birding is intended to be fun and friendly. Although there is a competitive aspect to it, the focus is on camaraderie and a shared common goal of supporting our local avifauna and their habitats. Contact Chris Loscalzo soon if you’d like to participate!

At: closcalz@optonline.net or 203 389-6508.