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Published: March 7, 2008

Bird-a-thon 2008 – 25 Years & Counting

Preliminary results of the statewide birding competition held May 16-17, 2008 are now available. Please note that teams can still compete for the 351 Challenge Award until June 30!

View highlights from this year’s Bird-a-thon and winners for the following prizes:

• The Brewster Cup: a trophy for the team that records the greatest number of species.
   
  
• The Hatheway Cup: a trophy for the team that raises the most money.
   
  
• The Statewide Migration Award: a trophy for the team that shows the greatest percentage of increase in fundraising total from the previous year.
   
  
• IBA Award: a trophy for the team that records the highest percentage of "the par" number (estimate of the species diversity) for teams that bird exclusively in any one of the Important Bird Area (IBA) regions in Massachusetts. This low carbon footprint regional birding option is an alternative to birding statewide.
   
  
• The 351 Challenge Award: New this year! A prize for the team that collects Bird-a-thon gifts from the largest number of Massachusetts cities and towns before June 30, 2008. This year’s prize is a pair of Bushnell Legacy WP binoculars (10-22 x 50) thanks to a generous donation from a Mass Audubon Leadership Friend.
   
  
• Statewide Top Individual Fundraiser Award for the Bird-a-thon team member who raises the most money across the state. This year's prize will be a photo generously donated by master bird photographer Shawn P. Carey and framed and matted by Mass Audubon. The winner will choose from among many photographs.
   
  
  • Mr. Carey has been photographing birds since the early 1990s. He teaches digital photography and has made presentations to Mass Audubon, American Birding Association, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Hawk Migration Association of North America, Eastern Mass Hawk Watch, Waterbird Society and many local bird clubs. He is a co-founder of Migrations Productions, one of the premiere bird related multi-media presentation companies in New England.
     
    
• Young Birder Award: Special recognition for any birder under 18 who raises $200 or more. (Prize: Mass Audubon Backpack)
   
  
• Bird-a-thon Team Member Award for any team member who raises at least $75 dollars or obtains 10 sponsor pledges. This year’s prize? A 2008 Bird-a-thon T-shirt.