Join the Funky Nests Challenge!

Ithaca, NY—The Celebrate Urban Birds project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is bringing back its "Funky Nests in Funky Places" environmental challenge! Participants sent in more than 600 entries last year. They found nests in hanging flower baskets, an old boot, a teacup, a coffee can--even on top of a clothespin, where a hummingbird built its tiny nest. Celebrate Urban Birds is a free, year-round citizen-science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, focused on birds in neighborhood settings.

For the 2010 Funky Nests in Funky Places challenge, participants may take photos, do a painting, write a story, or shoot a video showing a bird’s nest built in some out-of-the-way or out-of-this-world place.

Photo by Jacquie Tinker, New York

“We've had such fun with this challenge,” says project leader Karen Purcell. “The theme really struck a chord with people. You wouldn't believe how many people showed us bird nests in barbecue grills, bathrooms, garden tools, and signs. We even had Tree Swallows nesting in a cannon!”

Prizes include Kaytee bird feeders and seed, sound CDs, books, Cornell Lab gift baskets, nest boxes, and more. The first 50 entrants will receive a copy of the "Doves and Pigeons" poster by Julie Zickefoose and selected images and videos will be posted on the Celebrate Urban Birds website. We'll also be creating a 2011 calendar using some of the best entries.

Email your entry to urbanbirds@cornell.edu:
 
1. Write "Funky Nests_Your First and Last Name_ Your City and State" in the subject line.
2. In the email, you MUST include your name, mailing address, and location where photos were taken.
3. Tell us why you submitted your entry to the Funky Nests in Funky Places contest.
4. Choose your best/favorite entry and send just that one, please! 
5. Read the terms of agreement
6. Be careful around nesting birds. Read more about how to find nests and what to do once you know where birds are nesting.
7. If you agree to the terms above, send us your entry before July 1, 2010. 

Visit the Celebrate Urban Birds website for more information.
 The 2010 Funky Nests in Funky Places challenge is sponsored in part by Kaytee.

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Project Contact: Karen Purcell, Project Leader, (607) 254-2455, urbanbirds@cornell.edu
Media Contact: Pat Leonard, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu
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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership institution dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab’s web site at http://www.birds.cornell.edu.