Birdlam: Oklahoma’s Big Day Birding Event!

When is Birdlam?

The 5th annual Birdlam will be held April 26, 2025.

What is Birdlam?

Birdlam is Oklahoma’s big day birding event sponsored by the Payne County Audubon Society. Held on the fourth Saturday in April, the aim of Birdlam is to raise funds for Audubon chapters and other bird clubs across the state, increase general awareness of the avifauna diversity within Oklahoma, and … have fun!

Birdlam began as a nod to the “Bedlam” rivalry between Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. True to this spirit, the first Birdlam in 2021 was a friendly competition between the Payne County Audubon Society (OSU) and the Cleveland County Audubon Society (OU) for the largest tally within their respective counties. Beginning in 2022, the competition was opened to everyone in the state. Participants can bird anywhere in Oklahoma, and can compete to win individual and group awards. Birdlam is our version of a “Big Day” competition, where the focus is on finding the most species, rather than counting individuals (except for our target bird, the painted bunting!). We mostly follow the rules of the ABA for a big day, but with a few twists to make our event unique that you can see below.

How Do I Get Involved?

Begin by registering online here. There are three registration levels:

  1. Participate in Birdlam with a commemorative Birdlam t-shirt = $35/person
  2. Participate in Birdlam (no t-shirt) = $20/person
  3. Youth (age 17 and under), includes a t-shirt = $20/person

You can pay your fee here. Registration will be open through the day of the event. During the process, you will be asked to:

  • Choose a chapter or club to support (optional). A portion of your registration fee ($5) will go to that chapter or club.

Want an extra shirt?

We’re happy to sell you one for $25! Profits go toward PCAS Study Grants and community programming. Order here!

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025

Birders may scout chosen territory in advance, but may only count species seen and/or heard between 12:00 a.m. and midnight on April 26

What Are the Rules?

  • Please don’t count domestic, caged, unhatched, or deceased animals. Established populations of introduced species may be counted. Most current field guides should assist you in determining countable birds, and only birds listed on the current ABA checklist will count towards your species total.
  • Birders should adhere to the Birder’s Code of Ethics and limit the use of recordings and other audio methods of attracting birds, particularly in heavily birded areas, for species that are rare in the area, and for species that are threatened or endangered.
  • Birds seen across the state line are permissible as long as the birder is in Oklahoma when the observation takes place.
  • Birders may compete as groups of two for any of the categories (except the “group” award that requires 3 or more). If they win in that category, they will split the prize.

How do I report results?

Please fill out this form to report results and upload your species list. To make our compiling easier, please download and fill out this excel sheet. If you prefer to use an ebird trip report, you can provide the link to your report in the form. Results must be reported using the form no later than April 28, 2025.

If you have problems in downloading or uploading your excel sheet, you can send your list in an email with the subject of “Birdlam Results Reporting” to paynecountyaudubonsociety@gmail.com. Be sure to include the following information:

  • Your name and contact information (email/phone).
  • A total list of eligible species you saw during Birdlam.
  • Any relevant information if you wish to be considered for prizes. For example, if you wish to be considered for the District Bicycles Mega-Excellent Adventure Award, please list the mode of transportation used (e.g., bicycle, kayak, foot) and the sites visited (as best as can be described). If you wish to be considered for a group award, please include the names and contact information for the other members. Did you bird your yard? Let us know!
  • Making a checklist on eBird is a great way to track your sightings!

2025 Sponsors:

2025 Prizes

2025 TARGET SPECIES: PAINTED BUNTING!

  • The Subaru Birding the Outback Award: Most individual target species seen (or heard).
    • Sponsor – Bob Moore Subaru; Prize: $100 gift certificate.
  • Eunice B. Hoskins Prize: The individual reporting the most eligible species.
    • Sponsor – Les Imboden; Prize – $100.
  • The District Bicycles Mega-Excellent Adventure Award: How many birds can you see without the use of a motor vehicle. This award is for the most birds seen across at least two sites using only human-powered modes of transportation. The spirit of the award is to encourage birders with an openness for adventure to head to places not accessible by car… Get on a bike! Hop in a kayak!
    • Sponsor – District Bicycles; Prize – $100 gift certificate.
  • Most Species by Group: The group reporting the most eligible species. Groups are defined as at least three individuals birding the entire day together. It is expected that the group stays together (i.e. splitting up to cover multiple sites doesn’t count) and that everyone in the group observes 95% of the total birds reported by the group.
    • Sponsor – The Hideaway; Prize – $100 gift card to Hideaway Pizza.
  • The Yardbirds Award: Most species seen from the property you live on.
    • Sponsor – Wild Birds Unlimited (Tulsa); Prize – $100 gift card.
  • The Kicker Birding by Ear Award: Most species identified first by call or song. Send us a list of all the species where you could ID the bird by hearing it before you saw it. If you go for this award, make sure to keep track of this on your lists during the day.
    • Sponsor – Kicker; Prize – 2 sets of Kicker earbuds.
  • The Fledgling Award: Most species seen by a birder 14 years or under.
    • Sponsor – Oklahoma City Zoo; Prize – 4 tickets to the zoo.
  • The Lucky Birder: Didn’t win one of the prizes above? We’ll select one participant at random for this award, which includes an Oklamerica merchandise bundle!
    • Sponsor – Oklamerica; Prize – Two Oklamerica t-shirts, cap and journal.

Limit one prize per individual. Prizes will be conveyed to the winners according to contact information furnished at the time of registration or at the post-event get-together (May 3rd, 5pm, Stonecloud Brewing Co, Stillwater).

Birdlam Winners

2025 Complete Recap

  • Most ‘target species’ (Painted Bunting): Cole Penning (3)
  • Most species overall: Makayla Foster and David Kocieniewski (89)
  • Most species without the use of a motor vehicle: Michael Reichert / Hande Acar (76)
  • Most species seen by a birding group: Landon Neumann, Mike Yough, Neil Gilbert (187)
  • Most species seen from your own property: Jonna Whetsel (42)
  • Most species identified first by sound or call: Leslie Miller (46)

2024

  • Most ‘target species’ (Wild Turkey): Leslie Miller (18)
  • Most species overall: Alex Harman (91)
  • Most species without the use of a motor vehicle: Michael Reichert / Hande Acar (tied 90)
  • Most species seen by a birding group: Pratyaydipta Rudra and Sreemla Das Majumder (136)
  • Most species seen from your own property: Leslie Miller (26)

2023 Complete Recap

  • Most ‘target species’ (Gray Catbird): Jennifer Kidney (4)
  • Most species overall: Shelby McBride (93)
  • Most species without the use of a motor vehicle: Michael Reichert / Hande Acar (tied 87)
  • Most species seen by a birding group: Pratyaydipta Rudra and Sreemla Das Majumder (109)
  • Most species seen from your own property: Leslie Miller (30)

2022 Complete Recap

  • Most ‘target species’ (Loggerhead Shrike): Alex Harman (2)
  • Most species overall: Alex Harman (103)
  • Most species without the use of a motor vehicle: Michael Reichert / Hande Acar (tied 74)
  • Most species seen by a birding group: Pratyaydipta Rudra and Sreemla Das Majumder (143)
  • Most species seen from your own property: Leslie Miller (40)
2021*
  • Birdiest Chapter: Payne County Audubon Society (137 total species)
  • Most ‘target species’ (Snowy Egret): Pratyaydipta Rudra (4)
  • Most species overall: Mike Yough (88)
  • Most species without the use of a motor vehicle: Eric LoPresti (78)
  • Most species while birding in one spot: Jennifer Kidney (28)
  • Most species not seen in the opposing county: Mike Yough (45)

*Competition restricted to Cleveland and Payne counties.