This Year’s Dates: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Click here to contribute to Birdathon
Click here to make a pledge to support NH Audubon’s Sanctuaries Team
The Birdathon is NH’s annual ‘big day’ of birding and fundraiser for wildlife sanctuaries. Teams have tallied upwards of 200 species collectively in numerous efforts around the state and have raised several thousand dollars in past years, and Birdathon excitement level grows each year. Help to keep this momentum going by making the 2013 Birdathon the most successful yet!
Join in the fun as teams of birders try to see as many species of birds as possible within a given time period of a single day in whatever location they choose. Several NH Audubon Chapters and Centers are organizing teams, including some expert-led ones that will take on beginners.
Historically, some teams have traveled the state by car for 24 hours straight in search of the coveted ‘Big Day’ record of 170 species, and some may again try to match this mark this year. Other birders cover their favorite local park or NHA sanctuary for a leisurely morning, or travel (even by bike or watercraft) around parts of their entire town or county looking to best last year’s totals. The Birdathon even welcomes observations from your own backyard!
The Birdathon is a terrific opportunity for novice birders to get out with the experts and for the experts to set their mark a little bit higher in search of knowledge of bird distribution. It is also a fundraiser for NH Audubon’s Chapters and wildlife sanctuaries (participants raise thousands of dollars in Birdathon support each year) with proceeds going to real wildlife management work!
There are categories to fit every level of interest and experience. Additionally, NH Audubon will once again host a Sunday potluck dinner at the McLane Center in Concord to celebrate this friendly competition that focuses on New Hampshire’s strong birding community. Great prizes will be awarded to category winners and those who raise the most in pledges. Participation in the Birdathon means that everyone wins – including the birds!
Details & Downloads
Contact your local NHA Chapter to see how you can participate, or contact Phil Brown at 224-9909×334 or pbrown@nhaudubon.org for contest rules and information, and to register your team. We look forward to seeing you on the Big Day!
May 18, various locations around the state
May 19, 5 pm: Potluck dinner & awards celebration at the McLane Center
Cost: $20M/$25NM per person suggested donation (or in total pledges; addition pledges welcome and highly encouraged); all donations support NH Audubon wildlife sanctuaries or NH Audubon chapter of your choice
Categories:
1) Human-powered – non-motorized transport (foot, bike, canoe, etc)
2) Chapter area
3) Statewide (more than one chapter)
4) Youth (for teams with at least 2 members ages 16 and younger)
5) Single Location (a NHA Sanctuary, single park/conservation area, or backyard)
6) *“Big Sit” (*special rules apply)
