I had no idea that bird watching was so competitive or so well regulated until I watched the (2011) movie "The Big Year". Apparently there are bird watchers so obsessed with getting the magic number of around 500 bird sightings in a year that they risk relationships and fortunes to travel everywhere (within the US) to see a particular bird when rumors of sightings circulate. The only reward is a listing in a magazine. What is amazing is that the watchers don't need to submit evidence. It's all on the honor system and the people are honorable. Catch the movie if you are interested in such things.
