Compete against other club members and help raise funds for the Grand Rapids Audubon Club!
Birdathon 2024
2024 Wildcard Bird: Pileated Woodpecker
What is Birdathon?
Birdathon is a friendly birding competition and fundraiser. It is intended to be fun for everyone, friendly to beginners and help you prioritize getting outside with friends between April 20 and June 1, 2024. Funds raised are used to help the Grand Rapids Audubon Club continue to provide environmental education throughout West Michigan.
How do I participate in Birdathon?
Step 1: Form a team
Teams are formed of 2-5 people. When you’ve got your crew decided, pick out a good team name (the more fun, the better!)
Step 2: Collect Pledges
Ask friends and family to fill out pledge forms and return them to you. (Pledge checks should be written to GRAC or Grand Rapids Audubon Club) The team that raises the most pledge money will win bragging rights, special recognition and a plaque – so please include your team name on the check.
Step 3: Find as Many Bird Species as You Can!
This year, teams are able to pick the best day of birding (12:01AM - 11:59PM) when Birdathon is going on. You can go birding for 10 minutes or the full 24 hours and visit as many locations as you want throughout your day, but make sure they’re all within the eligible area. Your team can submit data from the first outing, or wait and submit your best effort from multiple trips.
Step 4: Submit Your Data and Donations
When you’ve completed your birding, register your team here to submit your findings and donations or download this form to mail them in. You can participate on as many teams as you want, so feel free to submit another day of birding with different team members, or a another day with the same squad!
Step 5: Collect Your Awards and Bragging Rights
The 2024 Birdathon awards will be handed out during the October membership meeting - so make sure you’re there to collect your awards and bragging rights amongst other Club Members.
Awards
Awards will be handed out at the October 2024 membership meeting for the following categories.
Rock Dove
Team that saw the most species.
Wild Card
Team that saw the most individual Pileated Woodpeckers.
Fledgeling
Youngest average age team.
Charity’s Rarities
Rarest Bird Species spotted during Birdathon 2024.
Big Fun Funders
Team that raised the most money for the club.
Big Fun Funder - Individual
Individual that raised the most money for the club.
Big Sit - Feeder
Most species seen by a team during a big sit within eyesight of a bird feeder.
Big Sit - No Feeder
Most species seen by a team during a big sit without a bird feeder nearby.
Rules
Format:
Teams are formed of 2-5 individuals. You may select the most species-diverse day of birding from any of the days that fall within the timeframe as your entry. If you wish to submit more than one day, you must form another team and register that as a separate team. A separate registration form, registration fee, and birding report sheet must be submitted for each team you wish to enter to be eligible for awards and bragging rights.
Timeline:
12:01AM April 20,2024 - 11:59PM June 1, 2024
Registration Fee:
$35 to form a team.
Locations:
Any location(s) within Kent County or any of the adjacent counties of Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Montcalm, Ionia or Barry Counties
Donations:
The primary purpose of Birdathon is to raise funds for the club while enjoying some light competition. To help each team raise funds, we have put together an appeal letter to share with friends and family members. You can download a copy of this letter here.