Competitors in the 18th Birding Cup, hosted by Penn State's Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, identified 175 bird species in the Centre Region in a 24-hour period last month. The Common Loons, a team comprised of Dan Ombalski, Dave Brandes, Mike Lanzone and Trish Miller, won the cup by identifying 144 species.

Fifty-four competitors formed a record-tying 13 teams to scour Centre, Huntingdon and surrounding counties for bird species to support the only annual fundraiser for Shaver's Creek. The center has raised more than $11,000 in contributions toward animal care and educational programs thus far.

The County Cup, given to the top team that limited its search to a single county, went to Birding the Midnight Oil, which won the Birding Cup with a record 160 species in 2006. Team members Lewis Grove Tom Johnson, and Deuanne Hoffman identified 122 birds in Clearfield County.

The Potter Mug, awarded to the best novice team in the competition, went to the Phantom Inspectors. Paul Brigman, Brian Sedgwick, Yvonne Hatfield, Brad Perony, Matt Iwanec and Tesha Omeis identified 93 species.

The Birding Boot was a new category established this year to recognize the team that identified the most species without using motorized transportation. The Vagrants, comprised of Josh Potter, Sarah Potter, Morgan Ilgen, Steve Back, Andy Back and Abbie Back, used bicycles and foot power to identify 94 species in the Raystown Lake area.

Donations and pledge fulfillments are still being accepted. For a complete listing of the bird species seen in this region during The Birding Cup, visit Shaver's Creek Environmental Center online.

6/15/2007