You don't have to participate in the bird-count to join the release challenge, but if you're at all interested in birds it's worth a look. The Audubon Society web site describes the count here ( http://www.audubon.org/---/about-great-backyard-bird-count ), but in short: the bird count encourages people around the world to note the different types and numbers of birds they see during this 4-day period, and log the results online; here's the web site for the count itself ( http://gbbc.birdcount.org/ ). It's fun and easy - you can participate just to report that one bird you saw outside your window or on the way to work, or you can keep more careful records throughout that weekend.
This release challenge will run through the month of February. Qualifying books include: books ABOUT birds, with birds on the COVER, and/or with birds, types of birds, or parts of birds ("beak", "feather", "quill", etc.) in the TITLE, SUB-TITLE, or AUTHOR. Associated words like "fly" or "perch", "egg" or "nest" or "sing" will work, too. (If you aren't sure about a word being bird-related, make a convincing argument and I'll let it in. See last year's thread for examples: http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/527750 ) Embedded words are fine, as long as they're within one title/sub-title word.
The release notes should include a reference to the challenge AND a link to the bird-count site. (Once the count's over people can still enjoy browsing the sightings around the world.)
Again, you don't have to participate in the bird-count in order to participate in the challenge, though if you want to do so that'd be cool! (Posting your bird-counts here isn't necessary either, but might be fun, especially if you spot anything unusual.)
Because the count is for wild birds, only wild releases will count for the challenge.
Prizes: I'll give a book or wings-for-a-month to the person with the most qualifying releases, and to one other participant, chosen randomly.
Post releases in this thread, starting Feb. 1 - and enjoy!