2023 Kansas Birding Big Year Contest
PRATT – The 2023 Kansas Birding Big Year Contest, hosted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), is officially underway! Participation is simple; record the number of unique bird species you see in Kansas from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2023 and submit your findings. You just might end up a 2023 Kansas Birding Big Year winner!
Participants of all skill levels are invited to compete in one of three age groups: Youth (age 17 and younger), adult (ages 18-64), or senior (age 65 and older). The winners from each category will receive prizes to be awarded in January 2024.
Participation Guidelines
1. Participants must register online at ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Diversity/2023-Kansas-Birding-Big-Year on or before April 1 to participate in the 2023 contest.
2. Participants must read and abide by the set of rules governing the competition. These rules are adapted from the American Birding Association Recording Rules and Interpretations and include the Code of Birding Ethics. Breaking, or disregard for, these rules will result in disqualification.
3. Participants must log their data into the online service, eBird, available on the Cornell University website, ebird.org. Each participant must create an individual profile, sign-in and password to begin submitting sightings.
4. Participants must submit a running total list of observed species quarterly to the program coordinator to track progress and provide quality control. The program coordinator and competition committee have final say on list totals. Quarterly submission dates for the 2023 contest are: June 30, September 30 and December 31.
Winners will be recognized, and prizes awarded, in mid-January of the following calendar year. Award categories are as follows: Youth, Adult Novice, Adult Intermediate, Adult Advanced, and Senior.
The 2022 Kansas Birding Big Year Contest wrapped up in December 2022, with youth participant Franklin Miller claiming the title of “Kansas’ Top Birder” after identifying 322 unique bird species in the state last year.
NEWS
Pleasanton Council moves forward with street grant process
With nearly $250,000 in the street repair fund earned from the one-cent sales tax voters approved, the Pleasanton City Council approved moving forward with a KDOT (Kansas Department of Transportation) 85/15 grant to repair Ash and Cedar streets first. BG Consulting Engineer... [More]
La Cygne leaders approve water plant maintenance
La Cygne legislative leaders have approved financing for the second phase of maintenance to the city’s water treatment plant. At their special meeting last Wednesday that replaced the cancelled Feb. 19 regular meeting, the council voted 3-0–with Jerome Mitzner and... [More]
Blue Mound hears updates on possible water tower project
Council members for the city of Blue Mound met on Monday, March 3, for their regular monthly meeting. City Clerk Max Krull informed the council that the city has been accepted for a state-funded grant of $517,000 for the water tower project. He then noted the city would... [More]
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- Trials set in 2023 Tanglewood riot, gate destruction
- Barrett elected District 76 Kansas Representative
- La Cygne adopts new pool position
SPORTS
Case leads Prairie View girls’ wrestling with a second-place finish
The Prairie View girls’ wrestling team traveled to Salina on Feb. 28-March 1 to compete in the 4A girls’ State championship. The Buffalos brought six girls to the tournament and Shawna Case earned a medal for the Lady Buffs as she placed second as State runner-up. ... [More]
McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
The Jayhawk Linn girls’ wrestling team traveled to Hays on Feb. 28-March 1 to compete in the 3-1A girls’ State championship. The Lady Hawks brought seven total wrestlers with one, Alayna McCarty, earning a State medal. As a team the Lady Hawks were 26th out of 64... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends three to State
- Blu-Jays defeat two Missouri foes
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling places third at East Regional as seven qualify for State
- Prairie View girls’ wrestling qualify six for State
- Pleasanton basketball faces TRL foes Southeast Cherokee and Northeast Arma
- Prairie View wrestling celebrates Senior Night as they host Pittsburg
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ basketball face Uniontown and St. Paul during Courtwarming week
COMMUNITY
60 years of friendships and memories
Furse retires from F&M Bank board Barbara Furse began her career with the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Mound City on Nov. 1, 1964. “The bank was owned by Orval Hennesy at that time and was located in the original building across the street from where... [More]
Baby birth, voting… almost rolled into one package
There is nothing like the birth of a child for a family, and the birth of two-month old Kit Victoria Oberlechner was no different; but the birth had added meaning as Kit was able to accompany her parents to the voting booth Nov. 5. Trenton Oberlechner said that he and wife,... [More]
Kellstadt opens new business in Mound City
After 29 years in health care practice, most recently at CHCSEK, Rhonda Kellstadt, APRN, decided it was time to step away from the more regimented clinic setting and branch out in a different direction. “It was just time for a change,” stated Kellstadt, who recently... [More]
More Community
- PVHS holds Career Day
- Powells named BC Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year
- Across Kansas on a spiritual journey
- Prairie View FFA wins 2024 East Central District Dairy Cattle CDE
- JLHS cheerleaders to perform in Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
- Regalado named as new director for Hive Library
- Taco Dinner and auction set for Oct. 19 to aid Ray of Hope
- Handcart donated to museum restored by local craftsman
