Twitchathon Guidelines for 2023
The official rules can be downloaded as a PDF document.
You can read the guidelines on this page to get a general overview of how the twitchathon will be run:
Birding Area
The birding area is confined to the state of Queensland.
Birds Counted
To be counted, birds must be alive, unrestrained and from recognised, free-living established populations.
Species Counted
The International Ornithological Committee’s (IOC) Australian Checklist is the taxonomy to be used by participating teams. Copies of this list can be found here, on the main twitch page. Species must be recognised by sight or sound by more than 50% of the team, and team members must be in visual contact at the time a species is counted.
Teams
Teams must have a minimum of two members, with one nominated leader. Each team must contain at least one member of Birds Qld OR Birdlife Australia. All team members must participate for the duration of time prescribed for that category.
Categories
A winning team will be announced for each of the following categories. The winning team is the one that records the highest total of species under the conditions prescribed for that category. The prescribed conditions are:
- Open Category: Birds may be counted during any continuous period of 24 hours between 5.30 am on Friday, 22 September and 10 pm on Tuesday 3 October. Transport may be by any mode except aircraft.
- Champagne Category: Birds may be counted during any continuous period of 12 hours between 5.30 am on Friday 22 September and 10 pm on Tuesday 3 October, which must include an obligatory stop of not less than 1 hour, plus at least two other 30 minute stops. The complete 12 hour period must occur between 5.30am and 10pm. Walking and birding is permitted at the obligatory stops, but not travel between sites.
- Eco Category: Birds may be counted during any continuous period of 12 hours between 5.30 am on Friday 22 September and 10 pm on Tuesday 3 October. Once the period of 12 hours has commenced, any form of motorised transport is prohibited, except public transport and mobility scooters and electric (e) bicycles/scooters/personal mobility devices (however, where e – bicycles/scooters/personal mobility devices are used these must not be modified and must be speed restricted as per the current state rules). At least one member of the team must be using a non e – bicycle/scooter/personal mobility device.
Individuals may compete in more than one category, but not concurrently.
Subcategories
Depending upon the number of registrations received, sub-categories may be created in any or all three of the above categories. These sub-categories may include;
- Youngest average team age / Oldest average team age
- Team with the average least number of previous Twitchathons between members
- Team with most members who have never competed in a Twitchathon
- Most species in a particular region
- Most species by public transport / Most species by bicycle / Most species by wheelchair/mobility scooter
- Most species by non-motorised water craft / Most species on foot
- Greatest / least distance travelled during the Twitchathon
- Greatest / least distance from “home” (eg; walked to local park or drove to Bowra prior to start)
- Most species in a particular group (eg: raptors, shorebirds etc)
Registrations
Teams must register prior to conducting their twitch. Registrations open on Tuesday 1 August 2023, and are open until Wednesday 20 September 2023. (Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Twitchathon Co-ordinator up until 48 hours prior to the day of the team’s proposed twitch).
Outside Assistance
During the Twitchathon, teams may not seek assistance in finding birds from non-participants or online sources. Any information received prior to the commencement of the Twitchathon may be used.
Ethics
No recorded calls or mechanical devices may be used to attract birds, and disturbance must be kept to a minimum. Other teams must not be obstructed. Teams that have trespassed during the Twitchathon will be disqualified.
Safety
The rules of the road must be observed, and any team booked for traffic offences during the Twitchathon will be disqualified. Care should be taken to change or rest drivers every two hours.
Results
Team leaders must report their species total by email, text or phone before 8pm, Wednesday 4 October. A list of the species counted must be received by email or post before 8pm, Friday 6 October 2023. Results will be announced by Friday 13 October. Contact details for submitting results are included at section 14. Details for sub-categories should also be emailed with the species list (eg: distance travelled during the Twitchathon 24/12 hrs, distance travelled prior to start and after the finish).Along with the results, please also advise what you felt to be your “best” bird, biggest “dip” and any other interesting details that can be included in the post-twitch write-up.
Prizes
- Highest Individual Fundraiser: A plaque on the Dollarbird Trophy plus a bottle of wine (or equivalent).
- Highest Team Fundraiser: Each team member wins a bottle of wine (or equivalent).
- Winning Team Open Category: A plaque on the Queensland Twitch Champions (Paradise Parrot) Trophy plus each team member wins a bottle of wine (or equivalent).
- Winning Team Eco Category: Each team member wins a bottle of wine (or equivalent).
- Winning Team Champagne Category: Each team member wins a bottle of wine (or equivalent).
- Certificates will be presented for Category and Sub-category winners.
Sponsorship & Fundraising
The Queensland Twitchathon is a fundraising event conducted by Birds Queensland to support the research and conservation of Queensland’s birds. Sponsorships will be split between the research projects being supported by Birds Queensland and research projects with Birdlife Australia Southern Queensland. To be eligible for prizes, a team must raise at least $50 per person. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Payment Options
Online: Donate Here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/birdsqueensland
Payment by cash: transfer of cash funds will be arranged following the event. Payments will be accepted at the Birds Qld October meeting.
Payment by EFT or over the counter bank deposit
Sponsorship funds can be deposited into:
Bank: Westpac Banking Corporation
Account Name: Queensland Ornithological Society Inc. Research Account
BSB: 034 061
Account No: 285 252
Description: “Twitch [name of your team]”. Also please email details of your deposit to the twitch coordinator.
Payment by cheque payable to Queensland Ornithological Society Inc. posted to:
2023 Queensland Twitchathon
c/- Birds Queensland
PO Box 3784
South Brisbane BC Qld 4101
Liability
Teams enter and participate at their own risk. No liability is implied or accepted by Birds Queensland their office-holders or staff.
Registration
To request any information not available here, or to register a team, submit results or sponsorship forms, please contact the Queensland Twitchathon organising committee via twitch@birdsqueensland.org.au.
