Birding Big Day 2026: May 8-10
Birding Big Day 2026 brought together Earlhamites across the globe for a weekend filled with bird watching, adventure, community, and support for current and future students.
More than 100 participants submitted 535 eBird checklists documenting 748 species across 28 states, 13 countries, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. From the Whitewater Valley to Australia, Denmark, Costa Rica, and beyond, Earlham birders continued a tradition that blends scientific curiosity, joyful competition, and deep community connection.
Birding Big Day also remains an important tradition of support for Earlham students. More than 200 gifts have already been made to the Earlham Fund through this year’s event, helping provide scholarships and transformative educational opportunities.
Birding Big Day’s road trip
Watch Earlham’s road-tripping birders as they discovered 155 bird species in New England and along the Atlantic coast. Three days to cover 2,000 miles created a high-speed chase for every last bird species they could find, all in the name of connecting with alumni, spreading the word on Earlham, and raising funds to support the Earlham Fund – the College’s nest egg.
Keep connected with EC Birders!
Catch up on the excitement on the Earlham Birders Facebook group. You can also use the “Comments” section on the eBird app or website (a handy tool for all birders) by sharing your day-to-day adventures!
Want to go birding with Earlhamites? Save the date for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on October 9-12, when we’ll host an early morning bird walk for alumni, students, and friends. More information coming soon!
How to participate for birders of all experiences!
There are two key ways to participate on Birding Big Day. First, you can join the mission by spotting birds of your own, wherever you are – in a city, in the country, or across the world! Document your finds on eBird and choose to share them with “Earlham.” For more instructions on eBird, check out this detailed beginner’s guide. If you need another way to share your birds, reach out to Bill Buskirk at [email protected].
It’s also important to give back for Birding Big Day! Whether you’re making a pledge to donate a certain amount of money per unique species found or giving a fixed amount, all donations help Earlhamites find and pursue their passions!
The story behind Birding Big Day
In 1982, two Earlham professors of Biology – Jim Cope and Bill Buskirk – created the first of many Birding Big Days. They nurtured the event throughout the years and watched it blossom into an annual tradition of day-long birding in the Whitewater Valley.
After Jim passed in March 2002, Bill opened the experience to even more birding enthusiasts in Earlham’s community. And every year since then, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends have formed birding teams with the challenge of spotting as many different species they can find in a day.
In 2008, Associate professor of Biology Wendy Tori joined Birding Big Day’s campus team, sharing her enthusiasm for ornithology with students and alumni. And in 2009, the event grew to be worldwide!
