We are very pleased to partner with Zeiss UK, British Birds Rarities Committee and British Birds journal to bring you the Zeiss Young Birder Awards 2023.  

These awards will give young people a chance to win a ZEISS Birding package, and 17-18 year olds will have the added incentive of competing for the Cameron Bespolka Scholarship to attend Cornell Young Birders weekend in Ithaca , New York, USA in 2024.  Our partnership with these organisations is a wonderful way to reach more young naturalists and allow young people from any age to apply. 

Esther Rumsey won the Cornell Scholarship in 2022 and will be travelling to New York in July 2023. Read the report

 “Birds and the natural world mean a lot to me so I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to support my future in conserving birds and nature.” 

Each participant will receive a free one-year access to Cornell Lab of Ornithology Birds of the World database worth 50 USD.

Details of how to win the CBT/Zeiss Scholarship for 2024 

Preliminary dates for the 2024 Young Birders weekend at Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca , New York, USA are 27th June - 30th June 2024.  The scholarship includes entry to the event, all accommodation including an extra night before the event and flights from the UK. 

Application Categories

Age 17–18

Please record the best bird species you found within the last year. For us, it is important to get an overview of the situation, the location, the bird, how you identified it and what exactly you saw and observed. This can be a notebook entry including a sketch or drawing of the bird or simply the descriptive story about your observation.

The winner of this age group will receive a ZEISS Birding Gear Package, including a pair of Terra 8x32 binoculars, Britain’s Birds ID Guide, 1-year digital subscription to British Birds magazine and a scholarship from the Cameron Bespolka Trust for the 2024 Cornell Lab Young Birders Event in Ithaca, New York, USA. The Young Birders Event will feature:

• Two days of field trips
• Presentations by Cornell Lab of Ornithology staff including professors, researchers, and students who will share various ways to incorporate birds into a career
• eBird and field notes workshop
• Sound recording workshop
• Tour of the Cornell Lab including the Macaulay Library and Museum of Vertebrates
• Dinner with Cornell Lab Directors and staff
  

All costs including flights, transfer, meals, accommodation and transportation will be covered.

Age 12–16

Please record the best bird species you found within the last year. For us, it is important to get an overview of the situation, the location, the bird, how you identified it and what exactly you saw and observed. This can be a notebook entry including a sketch or drawing of the bird, or simply the descriptive story about your observation. As an alternative, please describe where you contributed something to nature, for example setting up a wildlife conservation zone at school or helping to make people aware of birds and wildlife in your community.

The winner from this age group will receive a Wildlife Gear Package, including a pair of Terra 8x32 binoculars, Britain’s Birds ID Guide, 1-year digital subscription to British Birds magazine and a bird house from the CBT shop.

Up to 11 years old

Please describe or draw your best bird or nature experience. This can be anything related to birds or nature in general, for example feeding birds or simply a fantastic species you saw. As an alternative, please describe where you contributed something to nature, for example building a nest box or helping frogs cross the street.

The winner from this age group will receive a Wildlife Package, including a pair of Terra 8x32 binoculars, Britain’s Birds ID Guide and a bug box from the CBT shop.

Any birds and nature enthusiastic up to the age of 18 can participate; please note that participation is open to residents from Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.

Enter Competition