Introduction

 

A Bird Race is a fun learning bird watching activity where teams of 3 competitors race for a certain duration at designated sites to watch, identify and record as many bird species as possible. At this first ever Bird Race during the inaugural Borneo Bird Festival, the organizers have developed this activity to include embed local bird guides to each team to help with the process of important data recording for conservation, identification, safety for both birds and competitors as well to ensure level playing field for both local and visiting birders to the event site.   

Upon registration, each team will be provided with an Official Bird Checklist, a Log Sheet and a copy of the Birding Ethics.

 

Race Rules

 

1.        The welfare of the birds must come first. Caged, restrained, injured or dead birds or birds declared by the Arbitrators as escapees will not be counted. Care must also be taken to not cause distress to both the birds and to the surrounding vegetation and wildlife.      

 

2.        The race is open to all persons of sound health and with some basic knowledge of birds.                       

 

3.        Teams must consist of three (3) persons and must be officially registered with the Organizers by filling the official Entry Form.

 

4.        Each team will be assigned a Guide by the organizers. At no point should a team, during the course of the race, be without its assigned guide. The guide must have viewed or to his/her satisfaction, be able can verify the identification process leading to the confirmation of each bird on the list. The guide can also assist in the identification of birds should members of the team cannot reach a majority decision on the identification of the particular bird.

 

5.        The use of Field Guides is highly encouraged for each team.

 

6.        The race will commence at 1400hrs to 2000hrs on Saturday, 10^th October 2009 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok, Sandakan and resume at between 0500hrs to 0900hrs on Sunday, 11^th October 2009 at the same venue. The Bird Race officially ends at 0900hrs on Sunday, 11^th October 2009.

 

7.        The winning team will be the one that records the highest number of species of birds. Names of species must conform with those listed in the Official Checklist.

 

8.        Any team that is late in submitting their results (made in the Log Book issued before the race) to the

Arbitrators after 0900hrs on Sunday, 11^th October 2009, will be penalized at the rate of one species per minute. The Arbitrators will stop accepting logs at 0930hrs that same day, at which point teams that have not submitted their logs would be deemed on holiday and disqualified with our thanks and well wishes!  

 

9.        All birds must be seen by the majority of the team members i.e. 2 members and its assigned guide, subject to Rule 4 above.

 

10.     Teams may record birds from any part of the Rainforest Discovery Centre and the greater Sepilok area. The specific areas for the race will be briefed before the event.

 

11.     A Race Briefing will be held sharp at 1330hrs on race day i.e. 10^th October 2009 at the race site. All teams MUST attend this briefing so as to be assigned their respective guides, identify race sites and to discuss safety protocols.  

 

12.     Attracting birds with audio equipment is totally prohibited.

 

13.     Flash photography of nesting birds is totally prohibited. The organizers however, highly encourage photographs of birds deemed rare and/or are possible new records for verification purposes. 

 

14.     The Arbitrators may request team members and/or guide to provide verbally details of the species sighted and recorded and failure to do so may result in a penalty.

 

15.     Any teams contravening the rules and regulations of the race will be disqualified.

 

16.     The Arbitrators’ decision is final.

 

17.     A Registration Fee of RM10 per participant will be imposed and proceeds of this race and other activities of the Borneo Bird Festival 2009 will be channeled towards important Bird Conservation programmes in Sabah, which will be announced before the event.    

 

18.     The Organisers reserves the right to decline any registration for the race without giving any explanation for doing so.  

 

 

 

Thank you, good luck and have a good race !!