For Immediate Release:
February 11, 2026

Media Contact:
Laura Rose Clawson, Chief of Public Affairs
laura.roseclawson@ks.gov

2025 Kansas Birding Big Year Results, 2026 Contest Announced

PRATT – The 2026 Kansas Birding Big Year Contest, hosted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), is officially underway! Birding enthusiasts of all skill levels are encouraged to participate by recording the number of unique bird species they observe in Kansas from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Winners will be announced in January 2027.

Participants can compete in one of three age categories: Youth (17 and younger), Adult (18-64), or Senior (65 and older). Prizes will be awarded to the top participants based on availability.

Participation Guidelines

1. Register online at Kansas Birding Big Year by April 1, 2026.
2. Read and follow the competition rules, adapted from the American Birding Association Recording Rules and Interpretations, including the Code of Birding Ethics. Breaking or disregarding these rules will result in disqualification.
3. Log all bird sightings through eBird, available at www.ebird.org. Each participant must create an individual profile to begin submitting sightings.
4. Submit a total list of observed species quarterly to the program coordinator to track progress. The program coordinator and competition committee have the final say on the list totals. Submission deadlines are June 30, Sept. 30, and Dec. 31, 2026.

Winners will be recognized, and prizes awarded, in mid-January of the following calendar year. Award categories are as follows: Youth, Adult Novice, Adult Intermediate, Adult Advanced, and Senior.

The 2025 Kansas Birding Big Year Contest wrapped up in December, with Jennifer Jones claiming the title of “Kansas’ Top Birder” after identifying 340 unique bird species in the state last year.

The top winners from 2025 in each category were:

Adult, Advanced

1. Chris Krafft, Louisburg – 300*

2. Hezikiah Swihart – 287

3. Chris Fagyal – 280

4. Jeff Calhoun – 269

5. Corey Entriken – 257

Adult, Intermediate

1. Jennifer Jones, Wichita – 340*

2. Kaleb Kroeker – 284

3. Katie Van Blaricum – 189

4. Cassie Wells – 164

5. Tim Tarkelly – 112

Adult, Novice

1. Grace Bagley, Kansas City, MO – 132 (tie)

1. Saige Dixon-Peters, Ottawa – 132 (tie)

3. Chelsey Gotti – 99

4. Darla Pugh – 91

Youth

1. Franklin Miller, Partridge – 286

2. Elliana Swihart – 128

3. Milo Heinen – 22

Senior

1. Henry Armknecht, Hays – 302*

2. Tom Cannon – 300*

3. Sue Newland – 290*

4. Barbara Peterson – 211

5. Atcha Nolan – 195

An asterisk (*) denotes a “Top 5 Overall” score.

Sponsors of the 2025 Kansas Big Birding Year contest include: City of Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Acorn Naturalists and KDWP.

For more on the Kansas Birding Big Year, visit ksoutdoors.gov/birdingbigyear.

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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public waterbodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.gov.

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