Mass Audubon Bird-a-thon seeks to ID bird species over 24-hour period - masslive.com

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Mass Audubon officials are not letting the current coronavirus get in the way of their biggest fundraiser of the year.

The annual Bird-a-thon — to be held on Friday and Saturday — typically sends teams of birders rambling throughout the commonwealth in a friendly competition to identify the most species in 24-hour period. Instead, birders will be staying at home and maintaining a safe distance not only from the birds, but among themselves.

Despite the changes, Mass Audubon officials expect the event to attract hundreds of competitors of all abilities to participate in the carbon-free, safety-focused, and family-oriented peeping event. Participants will select bird observation spots – a window, backyard, or a green space within short walking or biking distance from their homes.

Locally the Arcadia/Connecticut River Valley Wildlife Sanctuaries Team is welcoming birders of all experience levels, including beginners, to join its official birding team. From 6 p.m. on Friday through 6 p.m. on Saturday, they will spend time observing and identifying species from their birding positions, solo or with other household members.

Arcadia Bird-at-home-a-thon team member Janice Jorgensen noted she is inspired by and looks forward to the event each.

“This year will be different and better because all of our birding will be carbon-neutral. No one will be contributing to climate change. A changing climate isn’t good thing for birds or people. I know I could be seeing mallards in my wet, wet yard during Bird-at-home-a-thon and hopefully bank swallows in my neighbor’s sand pit. If I’m lucky, I may also see an Orchard Oriole… that is my wish,” she said.

Competitors throughout the state join teams representing different Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and programs. Their pledges can be directed to specific wildlife sanctuaries and programs or to the overall organization, the state’s largest nature conservation nonprofit.

Participants can also earn points for their team by completing other fun, nature-based activities or as “Bird-a-thon Boosters,” who raise money while birding for fun, or even not birding at all.

The popular bird identification marathon is scheduled to take place during the height of spring migration, when millions of birds are returning to Massachusetts to breed and raise young, or stopping to rest and feed in the Bay State before continuing north. During this opportune period, birders can observe species they typically do not see during the rest of the year.

“We expect to see Cape May Warblers, Blackpoll Warblers and Bay-breasted Warblers that migrate through our area during the spring but do not stay and breed here. They continue on to the north and their breeding grounds. It is inspiring to see and hear these birds because they have already traveled thousands of miles from South America on their journey. Think of all that they have endured just to get to where they are now … and they do this every year and will return south in the fall. It’s really quite magical,” said Derek Allard, Arcadia/Mass Audubon volunteer.

Last year’s event raised $240,000 and recorded 273 species, with Connecticut River Valley sanctuaries garnering $8,492.00 for its work through the event.

Jonah Keane, sanctuary director for Arcadia and the Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, noted that bird-at-home-a-thon donations will make possible Arcadia’s work in the Valley to protect land, educate about the environment, and act to address climate change.

“They support the work we have done for over 75 years of managing habitat, such as grasslands that provide habitat for Bobolinks, American Kestrels, and Eastern Meadowlark, as well as climate change mitigation. And the work we have started this year to respond to the pandemic, such as transitioning in-person programs to remote lessons for elementary through high school students,” she said.

To participate, donate, and to learn more about Bird-a-thon, visit web.massaudubon.org/goto/arcadia

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