Birders from all over New York State and beyond are encouraged to register for the 29th Annual Montezuma Muckrace which begins on Friday, September 11 at 6 p.m. and ends Saturday, September 12 at 6 p.m. The Montezuma Muckrace, which benefits the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, is a 24-hour birding competition that raises funds for bird conservation projects, environmental education programs, and public access projects throughout the Complex. Montezuma Audubon Center, located at 2295 State Route 89 Savannah, NY 13146, will be the Montezuma Muckrace headquarters. For more information, including Montezuma Muckrace registration and sponsorship details, visit the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex website at https://friendsofmontezuma.org/projects-programs/muckrace/.
September is a great time to be birding at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, one of New York’s most exciting birding destinations. The Complex has been designated as a globally significant Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and serves as a critical stopover for millions of migratory waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds and birds of prey, including many threatened and endangered species including the Pied-billed Grebe, Black Tern and Short-eared Owl. The 242-square mile Montezuma Focus Area, which was highlighted under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan as critical migratory bird habitat, serves as the boundary for the Montezuma Muckrace.
Registration is now open and birding teams can register under several categories (Collegiate, Competitive, Youth, Low-Carbon, Photo, Family/Mentor, or Recreational) and bird together while trying to locate as many bird species as possible. Winning teams over the past several years have identified as many as 148 species, and collectively, as many as 192 species have been seen in a single day. Following the day of birding, Montezuma Audubon Center will host a pizza dinner and awards ceremony.
This event, now in its 29th year, has grown in popularity and set records for participation in each of the past several years. It is made possible by generous sponsors and through pledges sought by participants. The Montezuma Muckrace team that raises the most money, locates the most bird species, and the top collegiate team, will get their team name engraved on custom-made trophies which are on display at Montezuma Audubon Center.
Event organizers include the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, Montezuma Audubon Center, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Every year, the Montezuma Muckrace raises around $12,000, and supports projects including pollinator research and management, Virginia Rail and Common Gallinule research, Hidden Marsh and Loop Road wetland restoration, construction of several observation decks, Motus Radio Telemetry deployment, and American Black Duck winter banding.
