Birdathon month has already come and gone! Did you beat your species count record? See a bird you were excited about? Or maybe you just had a great day outdoors with friends or family! Whatever happened, we hope you enjoyed birding for conservation.
From our point of view at Bird Studies Canada, the 2017 Great Canadian Birdathon has been a resounding success. So far, 488 registered participants have raised more than $150,000, and donations are still coming in!
We can’t thank you enough for your part in these achievements. The proceeds you contribute as a participant or sponsor will advance bird conservation, research, and education across Canada through the work of Bird Studies Canada, dozens of conservation organizations, and the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund. You can learn about the valuable projects funded so far in a recent blog post.
It’s not too late to make a donation or increase your fundraising impact. Remember to get your donations in by July 31 to be entered to win some great prizes! Participants each have one chance for the grand prize: an all-inclusive guided adventure with Eagle-Eye Tours to either Costa Rica, Central Mexico, or the Alberta Rockies. Stations from the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network that raise at least $100 have the opportunity to win a Kowa spotting scope and tripod, and all participants are eligible to win prizes from Eagle Optics, Vortex Canada, and Armstrong Bird Food, earning additional chances with every $250 raised. These prizes have been generously donated by our Great Canadian Birdathon sponsors.
Many thanks to the teams who shared highlights from their Birdathons with us. Here are just three examples:
The Red-eyed Wearios – Québec
The Red-eyed Wearios from southern Québec kindly shared their great team photo with us. They have raised over $3560 for the McGill Bird Observatory and Bird Studies Canada – impressive!
Ron and Lynda Valentine – Ontario
Ron and Lynda Valentine did their Birdathon in the Hamilton and Long Point areas of southern Ontario. In spite of cool temperatures, they tallied 95 species, including Bobolink, Blackburnian Warbler, and Black Tern. They have so far raised over $340 toward their $575 goal in support of the Ontario Field Ontario Ornithologists and Bird Studies Canada.
Always an Adventure, Inc. – Ontario
Tony Beck and Nina Stavlund (pictured) with fellow teammates from Always an Adventure, Inc. tracked down 120 species! In Prince Edward County, Presqu’Ile Provincial Park, and the Ottawa area, the team enjoyed seeing Short-billed Dowitcher, Black-billed Cuckoo, and more. They also raised nearly $600 for the Wild Bird Care Centre and Bird Studies Canada.
