Birdathon is going to be different this year.
Join our Virtual Birdathon! Photo: Gwendolyn Causer/Audubon Vermont
Thank you for making our first Virtual Birdathon a wonderful adventure! Our collective birding effort was a huge success. Birding checklists, photos and donations are still coming in, but here's an update so far:
In keeping with past traditions, our Birdathon is a fundraiser to support Audubon Vermont’s work. Please consider a donation of whatever you're able to give. Even just $5, $10, or $15 will help us protect the birds and the places they need. We thank you for whatever you’re able to do right now.
Share your Virtual Birdathon Experience with us:
And to keep the Birdathon fun going a little longer, we will hold public voting via social media for the Birdathon Superlatives. Categories are: Most Spectacular Bird, Most Colorful Bird, Largest Bird, Rarest Bird, and Birder Farthest from Vermont. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to place your vote.
Here's how we ran our first-ever Virtual Birdathon. We'd love to have you join us next year!
Choose your birding day. Pick a 24-hour time period between Saturday, May 16 and Monday, May 25, 2020. Bird for as long as you like. You don’t have to stay up all night or wake up before the sun comes up. Go at your own pace.
Keep track of the number of different bird species you see and/or hear. The FREE Audubon Bird App or eBird are great ways to keep track of the birds you’ve seen. Or download and print this Birdathon species checklist. (Note: The checklist includes birds found at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, Vermont.)
Submit your Birdathon observations online.
We will be tallying the total number of bird species seen by each team, so the more people who join us, the better! We’ll also be looking for the most colorful, largest, most spectacular, and rarest birds seen by birders. While you don’t have to be an early bird or night owl to join the Virtual Birdathon, there will be accolades for earliest (and latest) birders. Preview all of the categories here.
Are you new to birding? We’re so excited to have you join us. The birding resources and articles included below will help make your birding more fun.
Choose an Audubon Vermont staff or board member to join their team. When you join a team you will be automatically be entered into a Birdathon raffle and receive updates and birding tips from your team leader.
A few words (and some longer tales) about what Birdathon has looked like in Vermont over the years.
Please consider a donation of whatever you're able to give. Even just $5, $10, or $15 will help us protect the birds and the places they need.
Part one in our new series to help you build your birding skills—and love of birds—by learning how to bird by ear.
Wren or sparrow? Robin or grosbeak? Some spring migrants sound similar—until you “see” their calls.
Ducks, geese, and swans are extremely common. Take advantage of that to sharpen your birding skills.
This article has essential birding resources and a video of basic bird observations to help you on your quest to becoming a better birder!
This article tells you how to use eBird and submit your eBird lists during our VIRTUAL Birdathon. Included in this article is a detailed eBird overview webinar by Nathaniel Sharp from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
Migrants have started arriving—and with them, plenty of confusion. This guide to commonly confused songs will help.
Saw a bird but you're not sure how to describe it? Here are the details to include in that text to your bird-nerd buddy.
Want to put names to species you regularly see? Start here.
Ages 6 and up. Some of my favorite songs from our feathered friends.
Rae Bronenkant/Audubon Vermont
Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts.
Birds bring us happiness in so many ways. Whether you're just looking for a lift, unable to enjoy the outdoors, or in desperate need of distraction, look no further than this birdy care package.