New Mexico Announces 2026 Birding Big Year Contest, Encourages Local Participation

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish announced a statewide Birding Big Year Contest for 2026, asking participants to record as many bird species as they can in the state from January 1 through December 31. The department set registration to run until April 1, and said winners will be recognized in January 2027. Participants must be at least 13 years old and submit sightings through eBird.

The contest separates entrants into three age groups. Youth are ages 13 to 17, adults are ages 18 to 64 and seniors are ages 65 and up. The adult and senior divisions include separate categories for novice, intermediate and advanced birders. The department noted that more than 550 bird species have been observed in New Mexico, underscoring the scale of the challenge for participants.

“New Mexico has the fourth-highest bird diversity, in terms of overall species, in the nation,” Curt Coffman, Assistant Chief of Education, said of the contest. “Bird watching has become very popular and is a great way to introduce people to the incredible natural areas found throughout New Mexico. We hope to see a wide variety of individuals participate in the Birding Big Year, including teens, beginners and the most seasoned bird watchers.”

For Los Alamos County the contest presents both recreational and civic implications. Local bird watchers can contribute observation data that may strengthen regional understanding of species distributions and seasonal movements. Increased interest in bird watching often brings more visitors to public lands and trails, which can create demand for local amenities and stewardship efforts. The contest also offers structured ways to involve young people and older residents in outdoor education and community science.

The department said it has listed top birding spots across the state and tools for participants on its contest page. Residents who plan to participate should register by April 1 and plan to submit sightings through eBird to be eligible for recognition in January 2027.