Birders across New York and beyond are invited to register for the 28th Annual Montezuma Muckrace, a 24-hour birding event set to begin Friday, September 5 at 6 p.m. and end Saturday, September 6 at 6 p.m.
The race, headquartered at the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah, raises funds to support bird conservation, environmental education, and public access initiatives across the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.
The Montezuma Wetlands Complex, a globally recognized Important Bird Area, serves as a critical migratory stop for threatened and endangered species like the Pied-billed Grebe, Black Tern, and Short-eared Owl. The 242-square-mile Montezuma Focus Area, designated under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, forms the competition’s official boundary.
Birding teams can register under categories such as Collegiate, Competitive, Youth, Low-Carbon, Photo, Family/Mentor, or Recreational. Past winning teams have identified up to 148 species in a single day, with 192 species recorded collectively.
The event concludes with a pizza dinner and awards ceremony, and trophies will be awarded to teams raising the most funds, spotting the most species, and leading the collegiate category.
Now in its 28th year, the Muckrace typically raises about $12,000 annually. Funds have supported pollinator research, marsh restoration, bird banding, and observation deck construction. Organizers include the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, Montezuma Audubon Center, NYS DEC, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
To register or learn more, visit: https://friendsofmontezuma.org/projects-programs/muckrace/
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