{"id":3601,"date":"2014-05-29T11:19:22","date_gmt":"2014-05-29T15:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=3601"},"modified":"2014-05-29T15:17:24","modified_gmt":"2014-05-29T19:17:24","slug":"meet-owen-the-birder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/meet-owen-the-birder\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Owen the Birder"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Owen Lawson<\/p><\/div>\n

More than 800 birders took part in Bird-a-thon,<\/a> Mass Audubon\u2019s annual fundraiser where teams spend 24 hours competing to see (or hear) the most species. But this year\u00a0Owen Lawson, age 6, stood out.<\/p>\n

Along with his dad, Justin, the first-grader at the Elmwood Street Elementary School in Millbury recorded 102 species, and raised $230 <\/a>for Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> in Worcester.<\/p>\n

But Bird-a-thon is just one part of Owen\u2019s master plan. Since the beginning of 2014, he\u2019s been pursuing his own \u201cLittle Big Year\u201d in New England. (\u201cBig Year\u201d refers the quest by birders to identify the most species in North America in a calendar year.)<\/p>\n

Owen\u2019s original goal for 2014 was 200 species. But as of today, he\u2019s already at 220! Many of these species were spotted using a pair of well-worn binoculars. \u201cI use my grammy\u2019s,\u201d Owen said. \u201cIt\u2019s much easy to pick up, because my dad\u2019s is more heavier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking of dad, it\u2019s little surprise that Owen\u2019s favorite birding partner is his father, who serves as trip planner, driver, and bird mentor. \u201cWhen I go with my dad, I see lots of stuff,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For Justin Lawson, birding is a serious avocation, but his wishes for Owen are to see beyond the birds, to make a broad connection with nature. \u201cI want my sons to be educated about the outdoors, but more important, develop an early appreciation for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Owen is already on his way emulating his father as a birding mentor. \u201cI think when I grow up I want to tell my kids about birds,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I always make sure to tell my little brother when I see a bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justin is clearly doing a good job. In addition to birds and birding, Owen is intrigued by tide pools, and the critters he spies in the shallows. A whale-watch is on tap for this summer. And<\/em> he plays on baseball and soccer teams.<\/p>\n

As Owen puts it, \u201cI guess I just like running around and looking at stuff. And up at the sky.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some Owen the Birder<\/em> fun facts:<\/h3>\n