As a birding novice (and first-time visitor of Canada!), the 2024 Carden Challenge was a memorable introduction to species identification, and a unique opportunity to learn more about the region and its wildlife.
The Carden Challenge is a birding event and fundraiser hosted by the Couchiching Conservancy, taking place on the Carden Alvar. The Alvar is a unique and globally rare habitat, characterized by flat plains of limestone bedrock and harsh environmental conditions. Flooding and drought are both common, limiting tree-growth, and the soil layer is shallow or non-existent. The result is a rich and varied ecosystem—a diversity of flora and fauna that have adapted to the Alvar’s specific geological and environmental characteristics.
In the run-up to the event, participating teams—which may be recreational or competitive—raise funds for the protection of the Carden Alvar and its biodiversity. Then, the birding begins: an intense 24 hours of species identification within a 24-kilometer radius circle. This year, approximately 90 birders, ranging from beginner to expert, took part in the 20th annual challenge.
My first real birding experience was just two weeks prior, at Point Pelee. Birding in this migration hotspot threw me straight into the deep end, and I quickly learned some species’ key identification features, such as field marks, behavior, habitat, and voice. Equipped with this knowledge and a large stack of field guides, I was able to help my group identify birds and other species in the Carden Challenge. I was lucky to be on a team with Toby Rowland, the conservancy’s Conservation Biologist, who shared a wealth of birding expertise with us.
Our group was one of five biodiversity teams; we had the additional challenge of identifying the Alvar’s mammals and invertebrates. This initially seemed overwhelming, with so many other potential species to spot. However, I found the biodiversity element a really valuable opportunity to learn about a wider variety of species, from the long-tailed weasel to the northern watersnake. Visiting Canada from the North West of England, almost every creature was a first-time sighting for me; beavers, muskrats, painted turtles… each as new and exciting as the next.
My favorite observations were primarily birds, the aspect of the challenge shared by all teams.
Some highlights included hearing the distinctive call of an American bittern and later seeing one fly overhead; spotting a family of sandhill cranes; and identifying various species independently, such as killdeer.
A team highlight was definitely the sora—our team name was ‘A sight for sora eyes’, so we obviously had to spot our namesake. We were also thrilled to identify two loggerhead shrikes within the last five minutes of the challenge. Learning about the elusive shrike’s endangered status made the sighting all the more special—100% of the funds raised by the Carden Challenge help to protect species such as the shrike living within the unique habitats of the Carden Alvar.
Another highlight for me was not related to the species, but instead, the people. There was an incredible sense of community and collective enthusiasm during the challenge, where birders excitedly exchanged their sightings and advice, despite the event’s competitive aspect. This camaraderie was particularly evident at the end of the challenge, where teams gathered to share their experiences over a group supper and presentation of prize winners. This year, the teams collectively identified 215 species, including 153 birds, and raised over $33,000. It was inspiring to see such a diverse group of participants passionate about protecting these species and their habitat, and I greatly appreciated the welcoming nature of the event.
The Carden Challenge is an eye-opening, immersive way to learn about the Carden Alvar and its biodiversity. I would recommend this experience to anyone with an interest in wildlife conservation, and hope I can participate again in the future!
Article by Amy Huxtable