Space Coast Audubon Society's Bird-A-Thon by Jason Frederick

We are going to hold 2 Bird-A-Thons to support a new project that we are participating in, the Florida Keys HawkWatch. The first one will be held October 22, 2011. Our second one will be held February 18, 2012.

Objective: The winning team will be the team which records the most species of
birds either by sight or sound within Brevard County during the 12 hour period
from 6a.m. until 6p.m. the event day.

Rules

• Teams may consist of two, three or four members and only bird speciesseen or heard by at least two team members can be counted. Only birds seen or heard by team members within Brevard County can be counted.
• The competition will start at Steak and Shake Restuarant in Merritt Island. Teams should be prepared to leave the starting point, at 6 a.m. and must return at 6p.m.  One species will be deducted from the teams score for each minute late returning to check in.
• There is no cost for entry, but team members are requested to obtain some sponsorship or a pledge of so many cents per species. A sponsorship of $10 per team member or a pledge of 10 cents per bird species seen, would be very gratefully received. All money raised will be used by Space Coast Audubon Society to further the Florida Keys HawkWatch
• The team captain will forward results to Jason Frederick at the end of the day for compilation for teams and the Chapter total.

Space Coast Audubon Society 2006 Birdathon Team Captain Expectations

• The team captain will provide transportation for his or her team. Team members should help cover the cost of gasoline on a voluntary basis. Each vehicle will constitute a separate team.
• The team captain will propose a route to area for the team and will make final decisions on routes during the day. Routes are limited to Brevard County only.
• The team captains will decide upon a name for the team.
• The team captain will oversee the compilation of the species identified during the day, although the filling out of the form may be delegated to another team member.
• The team must stay together during the day. No splitting up.
• The team captain will forward results to Jason Frederick at the end of the day for compilation for team total.

Rules for reporting bird species

• Wild bird species seen or heard during the day will be checked off on the bird list provided to team captains.
• Only one bird checklist is needed per team.
• The objective is to count as many wild bird species as possible, but feral domestic species may also be counted. Birds in captivity are not countable.  Birds at bird feeders are countable.
• You do not need to record the number of birds seen, only the number of species.
• Birds not on the list may be added at the end, but you must know the species for it to count (ie parakeet cannot count but monk parakeet does count).
• Rare or unusual sightings should undergo peer review and the name of the person (s) seeing the bird should be written on the form.

Space Coast Audubon Society’s Birdathon Participant Expectations

• Participants will solicit sponsors who will make contributions either based on the number of bird species identified or a fixed amount.
• Participants will pick up one or more pledge signup forms and a supply of Birdathon flyers.
• Participants will read the flyers so the can explain to prospective donors how the Birdathon works and what the funds collected will be used for.
• The participant will fill out the pledge signup form for the donor or have the donor clearly print the information on the form and give the donor a copy of the Birdathon flyer.
• After the day of the Birdathon, each participant will contact those who have made pledges, inform them of the Birdathon results and collect the check for their pledge. Certificates will be supplied which participants can fill out and hand to the donor. This will recognize them for their donation and serve as their receipt for the IRS.
• Checks should be made to the Space Coast Audubon Society.

Good luck!! If you have any questions contact Jason Frederick @ 321-449-9678 or by email at heyyoukidd@yahoo.com

If you would like to participate, reply back to me and I will either email you the
information needed to take part.