Male Baltimore Oriole
Seneca Rocks Audubon Birdathon
By SRAS member
Paulette Colantonio
Seneca Rocks Audubon will once again participate in the annual “Birdathon” during the week of May 11-18, 2024. Participants, working alone or in teams, obtain pledges from sponsors which can be businesses as well as individuals.
The birders record the number of species they identify by sight and/or song in a self-selected 24-hour period within the dates chosen by SRA. Trees, shrubs, grasslands, water habitats, backyards and feeders are all scrutinized.
Afterwards, birders share their species list with their sponsors, along with conversation about the birds and habitats. It is an educational experience for everyone involved. Monies collected in this Seneca Rocks Audubon bird watching competition are used for conservation and various educational programs in the surrounding area.
The Seneca Rocks Audubon chapter first participated in this national event in April 1985. The term “Birdathon” was coined in Canada in 1976 by Bird Studies Canada. The Point Reyes Bird Observatory in the Point Reyes National Seashore in California conducted the first Birdathon in the United States in 1977.
Anyone can join the fun, novice birders and experts alike. If you would like to learn more about this event, contact a member of the Seneca Rocks Audubon or email: senecarocksaudubon@gmail.com.
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