{"id":17531,"date":"2023-05-05T10:58:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T14:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=17531"},"modified":"2023-05-05T10:58:31","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T14:58:31","slug":"how-to-make-the-most-of-the-40th-anniversary-of-bird-a-thon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/how-to-make-the-most-of-the-40th-anniversary-of-bird-a-thon\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make the Most of the 40th Anniversary of Bird-a-thon\u00a0 \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bird-a-thon is Mass Audubon\u2019s largest annual fundraising event, and this year is the 40th<\/sup> anniversary. Birders from across the state join teams to fundraise and take part in competitions, programs, and more as a celebration of spring. The event this May will be over Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13. Join a team and join the fun!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitive Birding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The highlight of Bird-a-thon for many is the birding competition that takes place over 24 hours from 6 pm on Friday, May 12, to 6 pm on Saturday May 13. Over the course of the day, 13 teams compete against one another to see who can spot the most species of birds. At the conclusion of the 24 hours awards are given out to teams for spotting the most birds overall, the most from one stationary location, and to the team who spots the highest percentage of birds possibly spotted within a given county, amongst other awards<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about competitive birding during Bird-a-thon and to explore joining a team check out the 2023 Bird-a-thon page.<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nature Activity Points\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Two
American Goldfinch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are not interested in competitive birding but are still craving competition Bird-a-thon weekend, join a team<\/a> and take part in earning nature activity points<\/a>. These points are separate from the points that those taking part in competitive birding earn, and the two teams that amass the most nature activity points will earn an award.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activity points can be earned in a variety of ways, from sharing a picture of a bird you spotted on social media to drawing a picture of a bird to filling up your birdfeeder. Points can also be earned by completing fun activity sheets created just for Bird-a-thon! These include a bird word search, nature coloring pages, a scavenger hunt, a bird match-up quiz, and more. To explore all the nature activities and access the downloadable activity worksheets, check out the Bird-a-thon 2023 Nature Activity Points Page!<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Yellow
Yellow Warbler \u00a9 Anthony Lischio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Connect with nature and expand your knowledge of the birds of Massachusetts on a birding program. Start your weekend off with a Spring Bird Walk<\/a> at Boston Nature Center in Mattapan on Friday evening, May 12, focused on spring migratory birds that reside in urban habitats. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit Moose Hill<\/a> in Sharon on Saturday morning, May 13, to soak in the early morning sun as you walk the trails during peak warbler migration<\/a> and identify birds by sight and sound with the help of a naturalist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0And spend your Saturday evening at Wachusett Meadow<\/a> in Princeton learning how to Bird By Ear<\/a> on a walk led by former artist-in-residence at Mass Audubon, Barry Van Dusen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit a Wildlife Sanctuary\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Green<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

May in Massachusetts is the perfect time to get outside and explore. If you are not interested in nature activity points or programs, spend the day visiting one of Mass Audubon\u2019s more than 60 sanctuaries<\/a> around the state for a hike and to look for birds and other wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For beautiful coastal views, a chance to walk on the beach, and to spot coastal birds, visit Allens Pond<\/a> in South Dartmouth or Long Pasture in Barnstable. If you are looking for idyllic meadows with the chance to see farm animals and birds that frequent meadow habitats, visit Wachusett Meadow in Princeton or Drumlin Farm <\/a>in Lincoln. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you are in search of a more rugged hike with trails that will take you through woodlands as you look and listen for forest birds, take a trip to Moose Hill in Sharon or Pleasant Valley<\/a> in Lenox.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bird-a-thon is Mass Audubon\u2019s largest annual fundraising event, and this year is the 40th anniversary. Birders from across the state join teams to fundraise and take part in competitions, programs, and more as a celebration of spring. The event this May will be over Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13. Join a team and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":17532,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[386,151],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birds-birding","category-special-events"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/staff-birding-at-BWWS-750x500-1.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-4yL","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17546,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/bird-a-thon-for-all\/","url_meta":{"origin":17531,"position":0},"title":"Bird-a-thon for All","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"May 11, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This year marks the 40th anniversary of Mass Audubon\u2019s annual fundraiser and birding competition, Bird-a-thon. During Bird-a-thon, teams of birders work to identify the most species of birds over a 24-hour period, beginning Friday, May 12 at 6pm and ending Saturday, May 13 at 6pm. This year, as part of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A man in a white button-down shirt with a sight stick and sunglasses, holding one hand onto the elbow of a woman with a blue shirt. 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It is very much part of Mass Audubon\u2019s DNA, and we aren\u2019t going\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Downy Woodpecker","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16799,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/come-one-come-all-bird-a-thon-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":17531,"position":2},"title":"Come One, Come All: Bird-a-thon 2022","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"April 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Every May, around a thousand of people participate in Bird-a-thon. Last year, 13 teams recorded a combined total of 274 bird species in 24 hours, while raising over $310,000 to support Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries, conservation efforts, and education programs across the state.\u00a0 Finding 274 different species of birds is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8918,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wellfleets-not-so-lame-ducks-mabirdathon\/","url_meta":{"origin":17531,"position":3},"title":"Wellfleet\u2019s Not-so-Lame Ducks #mabirdathon","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 18, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The Wellfleet Lame Ducks, part of the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Bird-a-thon team, are an accomplished fundraising force of beginner and intermediate birders. Hear\u00a0from team leader, Peggy Sagan (pictured far right), about how the flock formed. The idea for the Lame Ducks was hatched in 2011. At that time, there\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/lameducksbinocs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/lameducksbinocs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/lameducksbinocs.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13943,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/why-i-bird-a-thon-michael-pappone\/","url_meta":{"origin":17531,"position":4},"title":"Why I Bird-a-thon: Michael Pappone","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"April 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Bird-a-thon is nothing new to Michael Pappone. As an active participant since 1995, Michael has a long-standing love of Mass Audubon\u2019s largest annual fundraiser. Here, he shares why he participates, how he started birding, his plan for birding at home, and what bird he would be, if he could be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michael Pappone with Wayne Petersen","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11168,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/snapshots-of-bird-a-thon-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":17531,"position":5},"title":"Snapshots of Bird-a-thon 2018","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"June 8, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Mass Audubon\u2019s annual fundraiser, Bird-a-thon took place in early May. 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