Sacajawea Audubon Birdathon 2013
Sacajawea Audubon 2013 Birdathon
Saturday, May 18 – Sunday, June 23, 2013
Spring is here, which means it's time to call your favorite birders and register your birdathon team. The Sacajawea Audubon Birdathon Committee would like to announce our 2013 Birdathon.
How does a Birdathon Work?
A Birdathon is similar to a walk-a-thon, but instead of collecting pledges per mile walked, you spend a great spring day outdoors with fellow birders, scanning skies, trees, shrubs, fields and water - even your backyard feeder - for birds. The challenge is to identify as many bird species as possible within a 24 hour period from May 18 – June 23, 2013. You collect pledges per bird species and the money raised benefits Southwestern Montana birds and other wildlife.
To add to the fun - by participating you could win prizes and awards. Check-out the Birdathon Rules and Prize & Award information links you can find at the bottom of this post, or call 406 600-6666.
How Can You Participate in the Birdathon?
Participation is easier: You don't have to be an expert - some people even do Birdathons by counting the visitors to their feeder. Others cover dozens of miles in a day, racking up over 100 species. The key to Birdathon is to have fun!
- Join a Team
Contact the Birdathon Committee, we have birdathon teams that would love for you to join them. Even if you can't tell a goose from a grouse, we can teach you how. We also, have celebrity birder teams.
- Form a Team
Get a few of your birding friends together and schedule a 24 hour period to go birding. Contact us for a Birdathon Kit and register your team. (see registration form for details)
- Take a Business "Bird Break"
Trade in your briefcase for binoculars, grab co-workers and count birds on your lunch hour! Contact us for more information on getting your business involved in Sacajawea Birdathon - becoming an event sponsor, creating a company team, or specific levels and benefits of event sponsorship,
- Be a Backyard Birder
Gather pledges and watch birds in your neighborhood park, or at your own backyard feeder. Compete for our “Sitting Duck” award. Contact us or go online at www.sacajaweaaudubon.org for a Birdathon Kit.
- Sponsor a Team Member
Support your favorite team or team participant by making a pledge. You can also donate to your team online .
The Birdathon Committee has maps, field guides, fundraising tips, and plenty of experience to share. Contact us at www.sacajaweaaudubon.org or 600-6666.
2013 Birdathon Key Dates
May 18 - First Day of Birdathon
June 23 - Last Day of Birdathons
June 24 - Team Reports and Pledge Forms Due
June 27 - Birdathon Award & Celebration Party - East Gallatin Recreation Area
Awards & Prizes Categories
There Are Many Prizes – check out our website for more details
We will be giving out 11 Awards this year. They are.....
Most Species Identified: ADULT DIVISION - This award recognizes the team that identifies the most species in a 24-hour period. All members of the team must have seen or heard 95% of the birds reported.
Most Species Identified: YOUTH DIVISION - Same as above, for ages of 17 and under.
Most Money Raised: This award recognizes the team that raises the highest total dollar amount in donations.
Most Pledges Collected: This award recognizes the team that solicits the highest number of individual pledges.
Best Bird Award: This award recognizes the team that records the "best" bird as determined by an outside judge. This could be a rare bird for a specific habitat or a bird that is difficult to find in its habitat.
Sacajawea Audubon Award: This award recognizes the team that sees the most Flickers on their Birdathon Day.
Montana Audubon Award: This award recognizes the team that see the most Magpies on their Birdathon Day
Important Bird Area (IBA) Sighting Award: This award recognizes the team that observes the most bird species in Montana IBA. The Team Report submitted must indicate on which IBAs the birds were seen.
Sitting Duck Award: This award is given to the team whose members identify the highest number of species while staying within an imaginary circle 200 feet in diameter during their count.
Carbon Neutral Award: This award is given to the team who is the most energy efficient or the smallest carbon footprint.
Mentor Award - Each Team Leader will be entered for a prize.
Rookie Award: If you’re new to birdwatching you will be eligible for a prize at the awards celebration.
Sacajawea Audubon Birdathon ....
… the most fun you'll ever have helping to protect Southwest Montana’s natural heritage.
Here is all the helpful information and forms you'll need to have a fun and successful Birdathon:
Sacajawea Audubon Birdathon 2013
2013 Sacajawea Audubon Birdathon Rules
2013 Birdathon Corporate Sponsorships
or
contact Loreene Reid at loreener@yahoo.com or 600-6666.
May 25th Field Trip – Kelly Canyon
Western Kingbird (photo by L. Harris)
Leader: Ron Farmer, 586-3987
(driving and walking along gravel roads)
This trip passes through open fields, then climbs past dry juniper covered hillsides, mature wetlands, mixed woodlands, and eventually reaches into the conifer forest. Bluebirds, towhees, kingbirds, hummingbirds, warblers, grosbeaks, and tanagers are just a few of the species that we should see along this route. Four car limit.
Beginning Birding Workshop with Ashley Martens
BEGINNING BIRDING WORKSHOP
Ever wonder who exactly is singing “Cheeseburger!” outside your window in the wee hours of the morning? Or what the little brown bird in the woodpile is called? Or why she’s there in the first place? To help you answer all of these questions and more, Sacajawea Audubon Society is offering a BEGINNING BIRDING WORKSHOP on May 28, 31, and June 1st. Participants will be introduced to the basics of birding through 2 evening classroom sessions and 1 field trip. The course will be taught by Ashley Martens, an experienced birder, naturalist, and outdoor educator. Ashley’s approach to teaching birding engages all of your senses to figure out what you see, hear, and love about the wild birds around us.
Tues, May 28 & Fri, May 31 6-8pm Bozeman Library Small Community Room
Saturday, June 1 7-10am Sourdough Nature Trail (Goldenstein trailhead)
Cost: $40 for Sacajawea Audubon members; $50 for non-members. Please make checks payable to “Sacajawea Audubon Society” and mail to Ashley Martens at 42 Hitching Post Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715.
Contact Ashley at ashmartens@yahoo.com or 208-883-4998 for more information and to register. Maximum 10 students. Supply lists will be provided upon registration.
Bird Language Workshop with Ashley Martens
Gray Catbird
BIRD LANGUAGE WORKSHOP
Birds are the true messengers of the forests. They can tell us if there's a fox hiding in the brush, a person about to run down the trail, a sharp-shinned hawk about to fly through. Come learn the ancient art of bird language in an introductory class taught by naturalist Ashley Martens. We’ll learn the 5 voices of the birds as well as some alarm patterns. Then we’ll head out for a short “bird sit” to look and listen for those voices. Bird language can inform us on a much deeper level what is going on in the forest. Awareness of bird language also inevitably leads to a deeper awareness of self. (What are the birds doing when YOU move through the woods? Can you shift that?)
Thurs, June 13th 6-8pm at the Sourdough Nature Trail (Gardner Park Trailhead).
Cost: $5-10 donation to Sacajawea Audubon to support their growing educational programs.
Contact Ashley at ashmartens@yahoo.com or 208-883-4998 for more information and to register. Maximum 15 students.
May 18th Field Trip – Mount Ellis
Vesper Sparrow (photo by L. Harris)
Leader: John Parker, 586-5863
(4-5 hour trip; moderately strenuous walking)
We will explore a variety of habitats including grassland, aspen meadow and conifer forest edge, while we look for early spring migrants. Some of the nesting species include Red-naped Sapsucker, Orange-crowned Warblers, White-crowned Sparrow, among others. 15 person limit.
Participants in all trips will meet at the front parking lot of the Museum of the Rockies at 6:45 a.m. and depart at 7:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Car pools will be arranged at the museum; an offer to help with gas to the person driving is always appreciated but not mandatory. Dress for the weather; good footwear is a must as field trip conditions are not always dry. Turn off your cell phones and keep unnecessary conversations to a minimum. Some field trips are limited to a certain number of participants. Contact the trip leader for more details about any trip, and to sign up for the trip. We encourage beginning birders to participate. Come have a good time and learn something new.
Headwaters IBA Bird Census – May 18th
Best,
Annie Sisk
Headwaters IBA Citizen Science Coordinator
International Migratory Bird Day Activities Planned in Livingston
2013 International Migratory Bird Day
Black-headed Grosbeak (Photo by L. Harris)
Life Cycles of Migratory Birds: Conservation Across the Americas!
Come join the fun with the Yellowstone Ranger District, Livingston Adult Community Education, and Links for Learning! Learn more about our fine-feathered friends through free lectures and field trips presented by experts in avian resources. This year’s theme details all aspects of a migratory bird’s life, from nesting and migration to breeding and raising young. Habitat conditions in one season may affect the survival and nesting success of birds in another. From winter habitats to migratory stop over sites and quality nesting sites – all influence nesting success which starts the cycle all over again! Refreshments, including bird-friendly shade-grown coffee and cookies will be served during the evening of lectures. All IMBD offerings are open to community members of all ages.
Free lectures to be held at Washington School, 315 N. 8th Street, Livingston
Friday, May 17 – 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Short-Grass Prairie Birds!
Presenter: Beth Madden, Wildlife Biologist and Rachel Feigley, US Forest Service Wildlife Biologist
Join us for some quality bird watching near Big Timber in short-grass prairie and other unique habitats. We will hit birding hot spots on routes within Sweetgrass County and try to identify as many species as possible. Options for possible viewing include longspurs, sandhill cranes, raptors, waterfowl, and migratory songbirds. No fee. Meet at the Yellowstone Ranger District, Big Timber Office, 225 Big Timber Loop Road.
Friday, May 31 – 7:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Bird Banding Demonstration!
Presenter: Neil Travis, Master Permit Holder, Federal Bird Bander
Come and observe a working bird banding station! Neil is back again and will be banding birds at a local spring creek using mist nets. The technique of bird banding will be demonstrated as participants see birds being removed from the nets, the actual banding process, and observe birds in the hand. Participants may be allowed to hold a living wild bird after it has been banded prior to its release – a great trip for young and old alike! No fee. Meet at the Yellowstone Ranger District, Livingston Office, 5242 Hwy 89 South.
IMBD offerings are open to community members of all ages. Please sign up for evening lectures and field trips through the Livingston Adult Community Education website @ www.livingstonace.org. For more information, call Rachel Feigley, Yellowstone District Wildlife Biologist, at 222-1892 or 823-6064 or go to the Gallatin NF website, http://www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin/ !
Life Cycles of Migratory Birds: Conservation Across the Americas
May 11th Field Trip – Headwaters State Park
Western Meadowlark (by L. Harris)
May 11th: Headwaters State Park
Leader: Martha Collins, 586-9478 or 579-0506
(1/2 day trip; easy walking)
The Headwaters area includes a variety of habitats, including sage/grassland and riparian, so anything from waterfowl to sparrows can occur. One of the unique features of the Headwaters area are the limestone cliffs, which support several cliff nesting species such as Prairie Falcons and White-throated Swifts. The park, which is situated along the Missouri River corridor, is an ideal location to observe early spring migrants. Those wishing to meet at the Headwaters area contact the trip leader. 15 person limit.
May 13th – Sweet & Savory Social / Costa Rica Trip Slideshow
Sacajawea Audubon’s Annual Sweet and Savory Social and a “Birding Costa Rica” slide show
Come join the annual Sacajawea Audubon Society Sweet and Savory Social Monday, May 13th, at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to join Sacajawea Audubon and share their interest in birding and conservation. The evening will include a Sweet and Savory Potluck Dinner, a sharing of bird sightings, and a slide show of 'Birding in Costa Rica', a Montana Audubon tour.
Hope Lutheran Church
2152 W. Graf Street (off of South 19th) in Bozeman
April 8th Program – “Better Birding Through The Artful Eye”
Photo by Tom Munson
Sacajawea Audubon presents "Better Birding through the Artful Eye" with George Bumann, M.S. on Monday, April 8th. During this presentation, you will hone your identification skills through quick sketches of birds. This is not a drawing class, but a method for improving observation. George, as well as being an exhibiting artist, wildlife ecologist, and educator, is a delightful speaker. This is guaranteed to be a fun and informative evening.
The Sacajawea Audubon Society meets the second Monday of the month (September through May) at 7:00 p.m., at the Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 W. Graf Street (off of South 19th) in Bozeman. We invite the public to attend our meetings.