Three Teen Birders Win New Jersey's 24-Hour Bird Marathon

At midnight in a deserted New Jersey park, three teenagers vaulted a fence and trained their binoculars on sleeping parrots' nests. When 16-year-old Otys Train spotted a monk parakeet's tail, his team had officially begun the 43rd annual World Series of Birding.

Train, along with 17-year-old Jack Trojan and 16-year-old Zade Pacetti, call themselves The Pete Dunnelins. They've won first place in the high school division for two years running, and they're not slowing down.

The competition challenges teams to identify as many bird species as possible within New Jersey's borders in just 24 hours. This year, 87 teams participated across different age divisions, from first-graders learning the ropes to veterans who've competed for decades.

The three friends have been birding together since 2021, transforming a casual interest into serious skill. They created a spreadsheet planning their route "down to the minute" and set an ambitious goal of 200 species (last year they hit 199).

Their secret weapon? Ears trained to perfection. Train memorized the calls of every possible bird they might encounter, imprinting each sound in his memory through field practice.

At 3 a.m. in the marshland, the teens stood in darkness listening for the whinny of a sora and the cheep of a swamp sparrow. They whispered confirmations to each other before adding birds to their list, since competition rules require unanimous agreement.

Their dads tagged along too, driving the van and making sure the boys ate actual food alongside their energy drinks and family-sized M&M bags. The fathers learned quickly to stay quiet after the teens shushed them one too many times during critical listening moments.

Founded in 1984 by local birding legend Pete Dunne, the World Series of Birding serves as both competition and fundraiser for New Jersey Audubon's conservation efforts. It's become an intergenerational celebration where bird lovers of all ages gather to test their skills and passion.

Why This Inspires

These teenagers prove that young people are leading the way in wildlife appreciation and conservation. While many adults worry about kids spending too much time on screens, Train, Trojan, and Pacetti are out before dawn, racing against the clock to connect with nature in its most fleeting forms.

Their dedication goes beyond weekend fun. They've spent months preparing, studying bird calls until recognition becomes instant, and building a community with older mentors who guide their growth.

The competition shows how passion combined with dedication creates excellence at any age. Their careful planning meets the unpredictability of nature, teaching patience and adaptability along the way.

As more young people discover birding, they're not just learning species names but becoming stewards of the environments these birds need to survive.