Viera’s Big Year 2024 Concludes with Stunning Results
January 8, 2025 – The inaugural Viera’s Big Year, a year-long birding competition celebrating the remarkable avian diversity of Brevard County, has officially come to a close. Running from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, the competition brought together birding enthusiasts from across the region to document bird species within the Viera Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and select surrounding areas. Participants used eBird.com, the bird observation platform managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to record their sightings, contributing valuable data to global bird research, conservation, and protection efforts.
Celebrating Brevard County’s Birding Paradise
Brevard County’s diverse landscapes—pine forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastline—make it home to over 500 bird species. Additionally, as an important stop along the Atlantic Flyway, one of North America’s major migratory routes, the region sees thousands of migrating birds annually.
Viera’s proximity to extensive conservation land to the west and the coastline to the east creates an unparalleled opportunity to observe almost all bird species found in Florida.
Competition Highlights
Viera’s Big Year invited Brevard County residents to document their bird sightings throughout 2024. While participants were encouraged to record all observations, the competition only counted unique bird species toward their final tally. The event drew seasoned birders and newcomers alike, fostering a deeper appreciation for the area’s incredible wildlife. There was a stunning total of 27,453 birds documented and 193 species observed. The most common sighting was the Boat-tailed Grackle followed by the White Ibis, and Anhinga. The best location for spotting birds was overwhelmingly the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands with 14,827 documented bird sightings.
The winners of the 2024 competition are as follows:
• 1st Place: Ethan Landreville – 184 species documented ($1,000 prize)
• 2nd Place: Michael Blomquist – 126 species documented ($500 prize)
• 3rd Place TIE: Alex Albaugh and Camille Merrell – 106 species documented ($250 prize split)
“Coordinating this event has been such a tremendous learning experience. In the beginning I thought I knew a moderate amount about birds and the hobby of birding, but as the year progressed and more and more participants were sending in their birding checklists for me to verify, I found myself researching the different species and unique things about them. For example, Black Vultures not only have no voice box, but they also have a bad sense of smell and find carcasses by following Turkey Vultures who have an excellent sense of smell. I really can appreciate this interesting, peaceful, yet slightly exhilarating hobby, “said Dana Vinci, Community Management and Communications Manager of The Viera Company.
Join the 2025 Competition!
The success of the inaugural event has set the stage for an exciting 2025 competition. Interested participants are encouraged to join the birding adventure and contribute to the ongoing celebration of Brevard County’s natural beauty. Registration details and competition guidelines can be found at cvcaviera.com/event/vierasbigyear.
About eBird
eBird, managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a global online platform for bird observations, enabling researchers and conservationists to better understand bird populations and migration patterns. Data contributed by birders worldwide plays a critical role in bird protection efforts.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Eva M. Rey
Senior Vice President, Community Management & Communications
The Viera Company P: 321-242-1200, Ext. 4533
C: 321-514-5007
E: [email protected]