AUSTIN – The biggest, longest and wildest birdwatching tournament in the country, the Great Texas Birding Classic (GTBC), had a record number of teams and overall participants in the 30th iteration of the event, as well as a record amount of Conservation Grants awarded. The GTBC, organized by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), took place from April 15-May 15, with teams participating on the day of their choice.
A record 252 teams registered for the classic with an event-high 1,450 participants statewide including 41 first-time teams, and 33 teams registered for the newest category, the ‘Lone Star Duo Tournament.’ The Big Sit tournament continued to be the most popular category with 80 teams registered, including 20 as part of Heart of Texas East. The GTBC held its first art contest this year, with the grand prize winner, Townsend Keller’s artwork being used for the 2027 event t-shirt and promotions. Complete and final results for the teams and art contest winners are posted online for all tournament categories at www.birdingclassic.org.
“I had a great time!” said Melinda Write on her first GTBC, serving as team captain for Twitchers Gone Wild, a Central Texas Coast Big Sit team. “I first saw [the Great Texas Birding Classic] right after it ended in 2025 and have been waiting to do this for a year!”…