“Forging a Champion”- An evening of strategy sponsored by LEICA Sport Optics

American Dipper Jeff Bouton says, “There are far more bird species to see on race day than there are hours of daylight in which to find them, so your real enemy on any big day is the clock!...”

American Dipper Jeff Bouton (left) says, “There are far more bird species to see on race day than there are hours of daylight in which to find them, so your real enemy on any big day is the clock!…”

The birds of the Mediterranean flyways are in major trouble. In order to address the many issues cross-border cooperation is needed more than ever. This is demonstrated in the Champions of the Flyway competition, where cross-team cooperation is the name of the game. While one team wins in the “most birds recorded” category, the team who shares the most information is crowned “Knights of the Flyway.”

Most importantly though, is the fact that major conservation measures for migrant songbirds are ensured through the joint fund raising of all of the Champions teams, making the birds the ultimate winners!

With support from LEICA Sport Optics, we have added a new event designed to provide teams with all the tools necessary to organize & plan and execute their scouting and race day strategies.

The event will take place on March 26, three days before the race.

Leica_RGBWe hope that this new event will help to “level the playing field” allowing new comers an opportunity to fairly compete against the veteran teams.

The “Forging a Champion” evening was proposed by the 2015 Champions of the Flyway winners The LEICA- Cape May Bird Observatory American Dippers (past year’s team pictured above)The Dippers have more than 100 “Big Days” (bird races) under their belts, including many appearances in Cape May’s long-established “World Series of Birding”, the event on which the Champions of the Flyway was based on from the beginning.

Event itinerary

  • 20:00: Teams assemble at the Agamim conference hall. Every team will receive a packet including checklists, birding maps, and a detailed copy of the itinerary used by the 2015 winning team.
  • 20:10- 20:30: Short review of the “Playing field” by COTF coordinators with tips on sites and latest info.
  • 20:30-21:15: Leica/CMBO American Dippers will offer a casual presentation on the development of their unorthodox South to North route with opportunities for questions/discussion.
  • Break for snacks and refreshments.
  • 21:30: Opportunities to speak to local Israeli birders, COTF staff, and experienced teams on bird-finding tips, route & big day strategy, and any other questions you may have developed during the presentations and packet review.