2005 Bird-a-thon Results & Highlights
Our annual Bird-a-thon was a great success. The total amount raised statewide: An incredible $96,003—a 17% increase over 2004 totals. Drumlin Farm wins the Triple Crown of Bird-a-thon: Brewster Cup, Hatheway Cup, and Statewide Migration Award.
Mass Audubon is grateful to all of our participants and everyone who contributed to this year's event. Mass Audubon gratefully acknowledges Swift Optics for its donation of a pair of Swift Ultralight Waterproof Binoculars 929B, which were awarded to the top individual fundraiser. We were proud to present this wonderful award to Ann Gurka whose efforts on behalf of Joppa Flats brought in over $16,000.
Highlights
Trophy Winners – Congratulations to all!
- Brewster Cup (most species seen) – Drumlin Farm
- Forbush Award (2nd place most species seen) – Ipswich River
- Hatheway Cup (most money raised) – Drumlin Farm
- The $ Cup (2nd place most money raised) – Joppa Flats
- Migration Award (Team that has the greatest percentage increase over the previous years fundraising Total) – Drumlin Farm
Final Results by Sanctuary
Migration Awards
For sanctuaries/teams showing the greatest percentage increase in fundraising from 2004 to 2005.
Statewide Migration Award
Drumlin Farm
Regional Migration Awards
- Greater Boston: Boston Nature Center (19% increase)
- Central/Western: Berkshires (10% increase)
- Southeast and Islands: Not applicable
Honorable Mentions
- Gordon’s Gaggle, the Mass Audubon Headquarters Team finished 63% ahead of last year.
- Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary, in its first Bird-a-thon year, raised an impressive $2,145.
Top Individual Fundraisers
For the individual team members (non-staff) raising the most money for their team. (Minimum of $250 raised each)
Statewide Top Individual Fundraiser
Ann Gurka for Joppa Flats.
Top 3 Fundraisers by Region
Greater Boston:
- Kathy Clayton, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
- Carol Gladstone, Blue Hills/Trailside Museum
- Peter Duffy, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Southeast and Islands: (only one reported)
- Danny Fournier, Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
Central West: (none reported)
Young Birders Award
Any birder under the age of 18 raising $200 or more for their team.
- Caitlin, Fiona, and James McCarey for Drumlin Farm;
- Danny Fournier for Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
- Younger Birders Awards – Honorable Mention:
- Girl Scout Troup #9875 for Boston Nature Center
Outstanding Species Sightings
Top ten bird sightings according to Senior Field Ornithologist Simon Perkins were: white-faced ibis, California gull, ruff, Lapland longspur, American golden-plover, common murre, pomarine jaeger, dickcissel, Kentucky warbler, and short-eared owl
Limited Geographic Area Birding
Several teams birded locally this year, and they still saw an impressive number of species. These teams were:
- Allens Pond: Bristol County
- Broad Meadow Brook: Worcester County
- Endicott: Cape Ann
- Joppa Flats: Essex County
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Bird-a-thon such a success.