One state
701 bird species
$25,000 for conservation

Join the NSW Twitchathon for Birds Australia on 29-30 October.

Every year across NSW hundreds of passionate birdwatchers race around the Australian bush trying to win a unique sporting event called a Twitchathon. As a race it can be fiercely competitive, not just in terms of the birds seen, but also in terms of the funds that are raised for conservation.

A twitchathon is like a walkathon, but instead of recording distance, participants record bird species. It involves teams of birdwatchers racing around their state trying to identify through sight or sound as many bird species as possible in 24 hours.

The aim is to have fun, see as many birds as you can in 24 hours and raise money by sponsorship for a bird conservation project. You can start anywhere in NSW or the ACT or a place of your own choice. Prizes go to individuals and teams (what crazy team name can you come up with?) for the most funds raised, the rarest bird and most species seen. Children receive a special children's kit and prizes too.

The 2011 Twitchathon will be held on 29-30 October - commencing at 4 pm on Saturday 29 October and finishing 4 pm Sunday 3 October.

Start a team

Get a team together with up to a dozen friends and family and go birdwatching over the weekend of 29 and 30 October. You can travel anywhere in NSW and the ACT. See how many species of birds your team can find between 4pm Saturday and 4pm Sunday.

Get sponsors:

In the weeks before this event, persuade family and friends to sponsor you so many dollars or cents for each species your team sees or hears. There are prizes for the most species recorded by two winning teams in the Main Race and the Champagne Race Sections, as well as prizes for the most money raised, the rarest bird seen by an individual, and prizes for children. The prizes include Trophies, a pair of Swarovski EL 10 x 50 Swarovision binoculars, a weekend in a motel at Leeton with a personal guided tour of the Internationally famous Ramsar Fivebough Swamp Wetlands (sponsored by the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetland Trust), two nights for two at a B&B at a known birding site, a digital camera, books, book vouchers, CDs, champagne, wine, special t-shirts and other prizes to go to the winners in the various categories of the Twitchathon.

About the cause

Last year’s Twitchathon was a wonderful success with participants raising $25,000 for conservation projects. This year we have set the same ambitious target, aiming to fund a project that focuses on the Powerful Owl – Australia’s largest and least well-known owl. Studying the owl in Sydney’s urban landscape during its winter-spring breeding season, the project aims to inspire and harness community interest in this iconic species so that we can measure its population, distribution and breeding success in the Sydney region. Hoo hoo!

Don't think that you have to be an A-class birdwatcher to take part. Whichever method you chose for your Twitchathon - the laid back (i.e. the Champagne Race), the deadly serious, or the donor only version - remember it is all about educating others into the importance of nature conservation, particularly the conservation of Australian birds. Last year we raised $25,000 and the two years before $24,000 and $23,000 respectively. This is a great achievement and we have been able to make a significant difference for the birds in the Cowra District, the Education Unit at Gluepot Reserve and the Discovery Centre at Sydney Olympic Park, the Australian Bird Study Association Research Fund, the Gosford Friends of the Bush Stone Curlew, the Hunter Bird Observers Club's Shorebird Roost Protection Scheme, and BASNA IBA Monitoring project.

How to register

To join the Twitchathon contact Pixie at the BASNA Office for your 2011 Twitchathon Kit on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for your Twitchathon Kit TODAY or to sponsor a Twitchathon team.

Let’s get twitching!

Main registration form
Rules for the Main Race
Rules for the Champaigne Race
Prize list
Team Leader advice
Junior registration form
Rules for the Juniour Race