Burroughs Audubon Society’s “Birdathon 2008”

What is a Birdathon?

An event where birders get together, find birds and raise money for Burroughs’ and state-wide Audubon conservation programs. A Birdathon is similar to a walkathon, except the task is to count as many bird species as possible during a 24-hour period and solicit pledges from donors.

A Birdathon is a team effort; its primary objectives are:

· to use the competition as a way to support Burroughs Audubon’s mission of protecting birds and wildlife habitat, while increasing the public’s awareness of the services, and their inherent value, that intact natural communities provide to humans and wildlife;

· to identify as many bird species as possible during a single 24-hour period;

· to expand involvement of new and experienced birders in the Annual Birdathon; and

· to have fun!

Where does the Birdathon take place?

Anywhere within a 150-mile radius of the Kansas City metro area. Teams may individually chose which specific locations to bird.

When is the Birdathon?

Birdathon takes place between Friday, May 9 and Sunday, May 18. The individual teams will determine what 24-hour period they want to bird.

What will the money raised by Birdathon be used for?

Funds raised will help Burroughs support local and international conservation projects helping preserve and restore critical habitat for birds, native plants, and wildlife. Major programs/projects receiving funding are:

· Local - Audubon Adventures environmental curriculum for many area primary schools; KC WildLands habitat restoration work; Friends of Squaw Creek work days supporting, and supplementing, the work of full and part-time staff at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. This work, together with Burroughs’ public outreach through birding and natural history field trips, aims to promote an awareness and conservation ethic among area residents.

· International – Support for research and avian population studies by KU ornithology graduate students – Support for a conservation initiative in and around Pico Bonito National Park in Honduras. Missouri Audubon chapters, including Burroughs, along with the Missouri Department of Conservation, are raising funds for the initiative. This project will help preserve and monitor critical over-wintering habitat for our region’s summer songbirds.

How can I join a Birdathon Team?

Go to the Join and Support Birdathon page. To see the teams already formed, go to Birdathon Teams page. Click here to view and print a Sponsor/Pledge form.

I'm unable to join a team, so how can I make a pledge/donation?

If you are not able to participate on a birding team but would like to make a pledge/donation, go to the Join and Support Birdathon page.