The Kiptopeke Challenge (KC) is back for 2022 and takes place on October 1! In this fun and friendly team birding competition, teams compete to identify the greatest number of bird species in a single day. The primary goals of the KC are to raise funds for the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory (CVWO) and to raise awareness of fall bird migration on the Eastern Shore and along the coastal plain of Virginia. The KC takes place each year during peak migration when birds sing little and many have molted their breeding plumages. Add in hatch-year birds, and you’ll understand why the event is called the Kiptopeke Challenge!
The Challenge is open to anyone. Participants can form their own team or a single individual can request to be placed with an existing team. A team must consist of 1 or more people. Non-birding drivers are allowed.
What are the categories?
· 24-Hour
· 3-Hour
· Youth (age 18 and under)
· Special Venue
There is no fee to participate, however, all teams are encouraged to secure sponsors for donations, such as per species or flat-rate pledges from individuals, bird clubs and businesses. All funds raised are used to support CVWO’s field research and environmental education programs. For team donation links: click
HERE and scroll down to support your team for 2022.
The geographic count area includes the land, rivers, ocean, and bay areas of the entire coastal plain of Virginia (the area east of the Fall Zone or roughly the area east of Interstate 95).
Ready to Register? Enter below OR email your team name, captain's name, team name, phone, email and which challenge category you plan to enter to Sarah O'Reilly at
CVWONEWS@GMAIL.COM. Entries close on September 28.
