1. Start at midnight - we always find sleeping birds that we dip during the day

2. Cover as much distance as possible before dawn

3. Cover as many habitats as possible within your chosen area - we have won every year we have competed because of the variety of habitat available to us within the small area covered - upland grasslands, mistbelt forest, bushveld, suburbia, valley bushveld, coastal forest and grasslands, estuaries and mudflats

4. Know your area and birds.

5. Stick to a time schedule.

6. Do not go to a locality for one bird or spend too much time on one bird.

7. Have lots of food and refreshments.

8. Sleep properly the night before.

9. Spend the day on the back of a bakkie - you have much better all round vision and can hear many more calls.

10. Keep the spirits up and enjoy yourselves.

Tips from Adam Riley of "No Tern Unstoned", Recordholders for Birds recorded in 24 hours in Southern Africa (BBD Rules)