Birding Activities
2025 MetroParks Birding Challenge
Birding provides countless ways to learn about and experience the world around you. Complete challenge activities between Mar. 1 and Nov. 9 for your chance to win fun, bird-themed prizes.
Over 450 species of birds can be found in Ohio, and they need our support so they can thrive. Join the Five Rivers MetroParks Birding Challenge today to contribute to important citizen science projects and help birds in your own backyard! With 30 tasks to choose from, the challenge has something everyone will enjoy.
- We’ve designed this challenge with both beginner and advanced birders in mind, so anyone can participate. Download Guide (PDF)
- Activities can be completed alone or in a group. View Tasks (PDF)
- While all Five Rivers MetroParks locations provide opportunities to bird, we’ve identified 12 Best Birding Areas to get you started.
- The 2025 challenge runs Mar. 1 through Nov. 9.
Over the course of the challenge, you’ll develop birding skills, learn how to help birds and reap the many benefits of birding, including improved mental and physical health. Also, you’ll help build a conservation community by sharing your experiences with others, so Get Out & Bird today!
How to Participate
To enter, complete at least one task in each challenge category for a minimum of six tasks completed. Everyone who enters will receive a MetroParks Birding Challenge Sticker as well as one entry into this year’s raffle. Complete additional tasks to earn more raffle entries!
- You will need to complete at least six tasks to qualify for a sticker and raffle entry – one from each category.
- For every additional six tasks you complete, you’ll receive one additional raffle entry. Additional tasks do not need to
be in each category, so you can pick and choose which tasks interest you the most. - For a bonus entry, submit a photo along with your log, showing all the fun you had during the challenge.
- The maximum raffle entries one participant may earn is six.
Raffle Prizes
- A pair of Nikon PROSTAFF P7 8 x 45 binoculars
- An EcoClean Medium Seed Tube Feeder and 20lbs of Wild Birds Unlimited Supreme Blend Bird Seed
- A basket of bird-themed goodies including shade-grown, bird friendly coffee, a copy of Birds of the Photo Ark by Joel Sartore and Noah Strycker, and a Charley Harper mug
Getting Started
Many of the tasks coordinate with our new Birding Challenge Guide. Get started by reading through this helpful booklet of how-tos, activities and resources.
Learn about the best places to bird by visiting sites identified on our Best Birding Areas map. These locations are marked onsite with park signage, so you’ll know when you’ve arrived at a Best Birding Area.
The 2025 MetroParks’ Birding Challenge features 30 tasks from which you can choose to customize your own birding adventure. Complete at least one task from each category to be eligible for prizes.
Best Birding Areas
While you can find birds in all Five Rivers MetroParks locations, we have identified a few areas especially suited for birding. Locations are ranked below by level of difficulty. Noted accessible areas feature either paved trails or sites to bird while driving.
- Twin Valley Welcome Center at Germantown MetroPark (accessible)
- Medlar Conservation Area at the Great-Little Trail (accessible)
- Adirondack Boardwalk at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Woodman Fen Conservation Area
- Eastwood Lake at Eastwood MetroPark (accessible)
- Fishing Ponds at Possum Creek MetroPark (accessible)
- Argonne Lake at Possum Creek MetroPark (Black Cherry Shelter Entrance) (accessible)
- Marie Aull Trail at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Carriage Hill MetroPark
- The Green Trail at Englewood MetroPark
- Bird Blind on Germantown MetroPark’s Silver Trail
- Bird Blind at Cox Arboretum MetroParkÂ
