Tampa Bay Celebrates an Inspiring October Big Day
By Mic McCarty
Field Trip Coordinator
Click through the slideshow to see the winners!
Birders unite to celebrate migration, strengthen conservation, and make every observation count.
Tampa Bay’s October Big Day on Oct. 10 was a wonderful celebration of birds, community, and conservation. Fifteen teams and 65 participants came together from across the Tampa Bay area for a lively day of friendly competition, teamwork, and birding enthusiasm. Their shared efforts showcased the joy of discovering birds while contributing valuable information to science and conservation.
Alongside teams from Tampa Audubon, the competition welcomed participants from Saint Petersburg Audubon, Pasco Audubon, the University of South Florida, and Eckerd College. Family teams also took part, including one led by a member of the Florida Young Birders Club. Their participation reflected the welcoming, multigenerational spirit of birding and the importance of inspiring the next generation of bird enthusiasts and conservationists.
The winners of the contest are:
· Most Team Spirit, The Wing Nuts
· Runner up Team Spirit: The Yellowthroats
· The team with the highest species count: EC-Bird from Eckerd College with 127 species
· Winning team from Tampa Audubon: Team Golden Winged Warbler Avengers
Congratulations everyone!
Celebrating Migration Through Citizen Science
October Big Day was in held in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day, which occurs twice each year, on the second Saturday of May and October. The October observance places a special emphasis on using citizen science to document essential observations during fall migration. Every checklist and every bird sighting helps reveal the remarkable movement of birds across landscapes and borders.
As the World Migratory Bird Day message reminds us, “By encouraging people to gather observations from across migratory routes, we can build a clearer picture of the ‘story of the flyways,’ emphasizing connectivity, international collaboration, and our collective responsibility.”[1] Tampa Audubon’s October Big Day brought that message to life by connecting local birders with a broader conservation effort that reaches far beyond Tampa Bay.
A Snapshot of Tampa Bay’s Fall Migration
Participating teams submitted 101 checklists documenting an impressive 165 bird species. These observations offer a vivid snapshot of the seasonal changes unfolding across our region. They show how many breeding species have left Tampa Bay for their wintering grounds, how migration is in full swing as birds pass through on their journeys south, and how some species have already arrived to spend the winter here.
Each observation contributes to a clearer understanding of the birds that depend on Tampa Bay’s habitats. By recording what they see, local birders help scientists and conservationists track migration, recognize important areas for birds, and better understand how changing conditions may affect these incredible journeys.
Birding Together for Conservation
October Big Day is more than a competition—it is an opportunity to build community around a shared love of birds and a commitment to protecting them. The event encouraged participation, collaboration, chapter engagement, and the excitement of seeing how many birds could be found during the event period. Most importantly, it demonstrated how enjoyable birding can inspire meaningful conservation action.
Thank you to everyone who participated, submitted checklists, encouraged fellow birders, and helped make the day such a success. Tampa Audubon is proud to bring people together in support of birds and the places they need to survive. Whether you are an experienced birder or just beginning to notice the birds around you, your interest and observations can help make a difference.
You can explore the full trip report of observations on eBird here. The event was a celebratation of the remarkable birds that make Tampa Bay such an important part of the flyways.
[1] World Migratory Bird Day, https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/#2026 2026
