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Latvia’s State Forests Bird Rally 2017 Is Open for Registration

Both local and foreign birdwatchers are kindly invited to take part in the birdwatching race "Latvia’s State Forests Bird Rally 2017". The Race will this year take place on 16 September. This race already for the sixth time is organised by Joint Stock Company “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM), Latvia Birds Fund and portal www.latvijasputni.lv.

Lately, birdwatching is becoming an increasingly popular way of spending free time and exploring nature. To promote this exciting activity, every year various birdwatching competitions are held in Latvia, as well as in other European countries and in the rest of the world.

Registration for the race is open until 8 September; 17:00. Please, send your application to the e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The following should be indicated in the application: the name of the team, names and surnames of the team members, date of birth (date, month, year) of the team members, as well as their e-mail addresses. Teams will be registered for the race in the order of application. There may be three to five members in each team. Before application, teams should familiarise themselves carefully with the terms and conditions of the birdwatching race.

The race will be held in northern Kurzeme. During the 14-hour-long race, which is to take place from 04:00 to 18:00, the teams with their own chosen means of transport will survey the race area by a freely chosen route, recording (both visually and audibly) the recognised bird species and subspecies on the List of Latvian Bird Species and Subspecies. The species or subspecies to be registered on the list of the race must be identified by at least three team members.

The use of any traps or any other equipment for bird trapping during the race is prohibited. It is also prohibited to attract birds with tape-recorders or any digital audio equipment.

The team with the greatest number of nominal species recorded will be the winner of the race. If several teams record the same number of birds species, the team which has a greater number of unique species, that is, species not recorded by other teams, will be announced the winner of the race.

Team members will also have an opportunity to get an inducement prize for the most attractive presentation of the birds recorded during the race in different social media.

Contact information for Latvian teams:

Kaspars Funts: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., mob.tel.: +371 29467772.

Contact information for foreign teams:

Kārlis Millers: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., mob.tel.: +371 29252138.