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BIRDATHON 2019...How do I do a Birdathon?
This spring Tucson Audubon is celebrating over 30 years of its most established and largest FUNdraiser of the year. BIRDATHON! Birdathon is like a walkathon, only instead of counting laps, we go birding and gather pledges per species seen.
There are as many different approaches to Birdathon as there are different ways to love birds. Here are some examples to get your ideas rolling:
TRADITIONAL BIRDATHONS
COMPETITIVE: A Big Day - 24 hours
GO, GO, GO, and Win Big! Your goal is to beat last year’s Birdathon record of 173 species (set by the Wrenegades) or fundraising record of over $4,000 (set by the Cochiseballs) and you won’t sleep until you do! You are motivated and energized by the thought of driving halfway across the state and back in a 24 hour period!
CASUAL: A Modified Big Day - 24 hour
Relax...and Win Big! You complete your Birdathon in a 24 hour period, but you might not drive halfway across the state and back! You might do a Big Sit at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds or Agua Caliente Park, visit multiple sites during the time frame, or just record birds in your yard or at your local park, along your favorite hiking trail, your kids and grandkids are on your team...
NON-TRADITIONAL BIRDATHON
CREATIVE: Completed in a custom time frame
Give it your Personal Flair! You prefer to stretch the enjoyment of Birdathon over multiple days/weeks. Maybe you focus on a particular species or circumstance. For example - your favorite bird is the Gila Woodpecker, so you set out to record as many of them as you can see in different areas of town, OR, you only record birds that are in flight, those sitting in mesquite trees, those in your backyard, only those you see out walking your dog...the possibilities are endless!
2019 Birdathon Perks & Highlights for YOU!
WRAP UP PARTY
Come celebrate at our Birdathon Wrap Up Party! Join the staff of Tucson Audubon to honor all the Birdathon participants who "Birded for the Birds" and helped us reach our spring fundraising goal. All Birdathon participants, supporters, and nature lovers are welcome!
PRIZES will be awarded to Birdathoners in the Traditional Category for a variety of categories including: a grand prize, most species seen, most funds raised
Raise $50 or more and receive a Birdathon t-shirt at the Birdathon Wrap Up Party.
Download a Birdathon banner to use with email and social media when promoting your Birdathon and soliciting donations.
For questions, contact Diana Rosenblum at drosenblum@tucsonaudubon.org
REGISTRATION:
Online Birdathoners, please register here. Setting up your personalized fundraising page is easy and a great way to conveniently spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and other potential sponsors! After your Birdathon is complete, please email Diana at drosenblum@tucsonaudubon.org by Friday, May 10, with your total number of species seen to be eligible for prizes.
Offline Birdathoners: If you prefer to do your Birdathon "on paper" only, please call Diana at 520-629-0510 ext 7002 to register AND print out and use the forms listed below.
TIPS FOR REACHING OUT TO YOUR NETWORK & DRUMMING UP SUPPORT
Asking friends and family to support your Birdathon might seem intimidating, but it can be lots of fun, and help to raise awareness for the unique biodiversity right here in southeast Arizona. If you're on social media, use those outlets to raise support and awareness. Update your Facebook status, share your personal fundraising page over Facebook, Twitter, or email. Upload photos to Instagram. Share your results on Tucson Audubon's Facebook page, and post your results on eBird.
Download these Tucson Audubon talking points and tips for "making the ask."
BIRDING GUIDELINES:
The Rules Are Easy! Birding is to take place any time from April 7 - May 7, 2019. Any wild bird seen or heard by registered participants during this period counts. You pick the route and pace! Be on your best birder behavior while in the field: Obey the rules at each site you visit, and please follow the ABA Code of Ethics while birding. Remember, you are an ambassador of birding and Tucson Audubon!
Big Day Challenge
To compete in the Big Day category, your birding must be completed during any ONE continuous 24-hour period on a day of your choosing from April 7 - May 7, 2019. The Tucson Audubon Birdathon is fairly flexible, so any 24-hour period works for your Big Day (no need to start at midnight!). That being said, if you want to submit your Big Day for consideration by the American Birding Association (ABA), their rules state that a 24-hour period must occur on one calendar day, from 12:00am through 11:59pm. You can find the detailed ABA rules here.
Big Sit Challenge
To compete in the Big Sit category, count species seen from a 30-foot diameter circle in any continuous time interval of less than 4-hours within the Birdathon window. Participants may leave the circle at any time, but birds will only be counted if sighted or heard from within the circle. Let the birds come to you!
SCORING & PRIZE ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible for prizes, participants must register, collect pledges, and turn in all forms to Diana Rosenblum via scanning and email to drosenblum@tucsonaudubon.org or post mail at 300 E. University Blvd #120, Tucson, AZ 87505 by Friday, May 10, 2019 at 5pm.
Only "Traditional" Birdathoners that do their Birdathon in the span of 24 hours, whether you choose the "Competitive" or the "Casual" approach, will be eligible for prizes.
The Grand Prize will be awarded to the registered Birdathoner with the highest total score. (Total score = 2 points per species + 1 point per dollar raised). Prizes will also be awarded for: Most Species Seen, Most Funds Raised, Youngest Birdathoner.
Online Birdathoners: Please email Diana at drosenblum@tucsonaudubon.org by Friday, May 10 at 5pm with your total number of species seen to be eligible for prizes.
Report your species! You can use the Tucson Audubon Birding Checklist (download here) to keep track of the birds you see. All Birdathoners are encouraged to submit your bird findings to www.ebird.org.
FORMS:
Pledge Tracking Form
Keep track of all your offline pledges and donations. Download Form
Offline Donation Form
This form is available for single individual donations or pledges. Download Form
Birdathon Report Form
Please complete and return this form after your Big Day. Download form