Speaking as a three time participant its actually a fierce between-team
competition no holds barred. This could include false hints on raritites to
get the other teams lost on logging roads to nowhere or blinding them with
Q-beams during owling exercises (right Dick?). Nationality doesn't seem to
matter that much. It really is alot of fun especially the last 6 hours of
sleep deprivation (its amazing the birds you hear) . The primary objective
is to gather sponsors like in the SAS birdathon but the OK Big Day raises
money for the local Nature Conservancy (so there is really a good reason to
participate besides the competive angle). Rules state your team must start
and end in the Okanagan (Okanogan) watershed. Good birds include Boreal ,
Flamulated, Saw-whet Owls, Yellow-breasted Chat, Catbirds, Northern Oriole,
Western Tanager and the Rock and Canyon Wrens plus abunch more I can't
remember. We were very lucky and got to see Spruce Grouse two years in a
row. The contest starts midnight on May 20. There are trophies for 1st/2nd
place and a sour grapes award for most common bird missed (voted on by the
group at the Monday morning brunch).
Dick Cannings has more information if you are interested.

Tracee Geernaert
tracee at iphc.washington.edu