Category Archives: General

Bird-a-thon 2021 Highlights

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Mass Audubon

Bird-a-thon, which took place May 14-15, was a great time to get outside to bird and enjoy nature. About 1,000 participants trekked out across their state, or stayed close home, to spot bird species, search for items on our 125th anniversary scavenger hunt, and/or complete nature activities like drawing a picture of a bird and playing nature bingo.

The weather was amazing, the birding spectacular (including sightings of a Tropical Kingbird, Swallow-tailed Kite, White-faced Ibis, Pacific Loon, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Sandhill Crane, Thick-billed Murre, Red-headed Woodpecker, Summer Tanager, and Prothonotary Warbler), and the fact that we could bird safely together again made moods soar.

Check out some favorite social shares, scroll down for results, and show our sponsors some love!

Social Shares

It’s a Waiting Game

“Chimney Swift” Sees a Baltimore Oriole

Inclusive Birding

Nature Activity Fun

Follow the Leader

Crushing the Scavenger Hunt

Creating Bird Art

By Melissa Hanson

View more photos in the online photo gallery. Feel free to add your own Bird-a-thon pictures as well, and please be sure to include your name in the file name so we know who to credit.

The Results

Our 13 teams recorded an impressive combined total of 274 bird species in Massachusetts. Great job! We’ve finished tallying the species and activity lists and are excited to announce the winners of the 2021 Bird-a-thon birding and points awards.

Congratulations to our winning teams!

Brewster Cup (most species recorded statewide)

  • Team Metro South with 245 species

Forbush Award (2nd place in species recorded statewide)

  • Team Metro West with 238 species

County Cup (highest percentage of county par value)

  • Team West (Berkshire County, 146/142, 103%)

Sitting Duck Award (most species recorded while staying within a 25-foot circle)

  • Team West with 110 species

Eagle Eye Award (highest average number of activity points)

  • Team Cape Cod with 60 activity points

Mighty Migrant Award (highest average number of species points)

  • Team Central with 100 species points

It’s Not Too Late to Get Involved

The birding may be over, but fundraising is open through Friday, June 11! So far we’ve raised over $270,000 to support nature education, land and wildlife stewardship, and so much more. We can’t thank you enough for your generous support.

Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors!

Lead Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor: ZEISS

Community Sponsor: River Valley Co-op

Ways to Volunteer This Summer

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Hillary T.

Looking for a way to get out and give back? Consider lending a hand at one of our wildlife sanctuaries.

A volunteer planting a plant in the garden at a wildlife sanctuary.

West

June 11: Water Chestnut Removal by Canoe with Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton

Water chestnut is an invasive plant that wreaks havoc on native plant and animal life, chokes out waterways, and interferes with recreation. Enjoy a beautiful day on the water pulling water chestnut and helping to preserve the habitat of this vulnerable waterway. This project was made possible through our cooperation with the Connecticut River Conservancy. Registration is required. This event was rescheduled from June 4 to June 11.

Metro South

June 19: Volunteer Work Day at Museum of American Bird Art in Canton

Work alongside staff with seasonal tidying all around this beautiful 120-acre wildlife sanctuary, just 15 miles south of Boston. Registration is required.

North Shore

June 26 and July 12: Pepperweed Pull in the Newburyport Area

Help keep this invasive plant from taking over the edge of the Great Marsh and learn about our additional efforts to steward this important area. Registration is required.

Metro West

Garden Volunteering at Habitat Education Center in Belmont

Give staff a hand with chores in our beautiful formal gardens and our Community Garden. Projects include planting, pruning, weeding, watering, fence clearing, mowing, and compost management. 

Habitat Restoration at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln

Help improve habitat quality for native species; learn about plant ID and restoration techniques; and spend time outside.

South East

Trail Stewards at Tidmarsh in Plymouth

Walk the trails at Tidmarsh on a regular basis, taking notes about seasonal changes, reporting changes to the property including potentially hazardous or unpleasant trail conditions (storm damage, trash, tracks), and more.

Trail Blazers at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth

Blaze new trails and construct trail features along 9 miles of trails, helping to preserve the ecological integrity of areas in and around the sanctuary. Examples of projects include trail maintenance, boardwalk construction, removing invasive plants, burning brush piles, or planting native plants.

Trail Stewards at Oak Knoll and Attleboro Springs in Attleboro

Walk trails or boundaries weekly on Oak Knoll or Attleboro Springs Wildlife Sanctuaries and identify management problems (such as trash deposits, tracks of motorized vehicles, damage to natural assets); identify animal and plant species; observe and document seasonal changes (make field notes, and if possible photographs or drawings); and assist in routine maintenance of trails.

Central

Weekly Volunteering at Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester

Every Wednesday morning and the 1st Saturday of every month help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun and fulfillment. Help put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill the bird feeders, and more.

Islands

Weekly Volunteer Work Days and Butterfly Garden Clean Ups at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown

Every Thursday morning you can help with projects, gardening, hiking trails, or other needed work around the Sanctuary. And Thursday afternoons, work alongside knowledgeable garden volunteers and learn about which plants provide food for Island butterflies and birds.