2015

Ornithologists invited to apply for a bird watching competition

Ornithologists from Latvia and abroad are invited to participate in the international bird watching competition "Bird Rally 2015" that is taking place in Vidzeme, Latgale, and Selija regions on September 19 and 20 this year. The competition is organized by JSC "Latvia's State Forests", Latvia Birds Fund, and portal www.latvijasputni.lv.

Teams are invited to apply for the 24-hour competition by July 31, by sending in an application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The application must indicate the name of the team, as well as the participants' names, birth dates, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers. Before applying for the competition, we suggest getting acquainted with the competition rules.

The teams must consist of three to five people who have reached the age of 18. Movement within specific territories will be allowed using automobiles, public transport, and other automotive vehicles. However, each team will be allowed to use only one vehicle.

The observed bird species and subspecies will have to be recorded on a special list provided by the competition's organizers. The list can include only live birds seen or heard in the wild well enough to precisely determine the species. During the catching of birds, use of nets or other devices, such as bird voice imitators to lure them, is prohibited.

The team that records the highest number of individual bird species will be declared the winner. If several teams register an equal number of species, the winning team will be the one that will have observed more unique species – species that no other team will have managed to register.

The competition starts on September 19, 10 a.m., at JSC "Latvia's State Forests" tourism and recreation center "Ezernieki".

Contact information for Latvia's teams:

• Kaspars Funts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., cell phone number: +371 29467772.

Contact information for foreigner teams:

• Kārlis Millers: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., cell phone number +371 29252138.