2012 Bird-a-thon Results & Highlights

2012 Bird-a-thon logo

Punctuated by fine weather, an outstanding diversity of recorded bird species, enthusiastic participation, and incredibly generous sponsorship the 29th annual Bird-a-thon was a resounding success. A dedicated army of resourceful birders representing Mass Audubon sanctuaries and programs from across the state successfully rounded up 270 species of birds during the 24-hour Bird-a-thon period. Blessed with idyllic conditions on Friday evening, many birding teams were fortunate in finding a number of interesting species before sunset.

Among the outstanding birds recorded during Bird-a-thon were:

  • Redhead
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Stilt Sandpiper
  • Snowy Owl
  • Chuck-will's-widow
  • Lawrence's Warbler
  • Yellow-throated Warbler
  • Dickcissel

We are thrilled to present the complete list of award winners below. We also would like to say a tremendous thank you to everyone who donated to this year’s Bird-a-thon – it is because of your support that Bird-a-thon continues after 28 years! We could never do this without you. Thank you!

Be sure to watch the Bird-a-thon slide show! See if you can spot your team!

Award Winners for Bird-a-thon 2012!

Brewster Cup (1st place - most species seen) Drumlin Farm, 235 species

Forbush Award (2nd place - most species seen) Wellfleet Bay 222 species

Hatheway Cup (1st place - most money raised) Drumlin Farm, $47,574.00

The $ Cup (2nd place - most money raised) Joppa Flats, $29,772.00

IBA Regional Award (low carbon footprint award) 

IBA Team with a total of 160 species counted only in IBAs located in Plymouth and Bristol County

Statewide Migration Award (greatest percent increase in fundraising total from the previous year) 

Wildwood with an increase of 283% - woo hoo Wildwood!

Regional Migration Awards 

For teams showing the greatest percentage increase in fundraising dollars in their region from 2011 to 2012 and excluding the Statewide Migration Award. All will receive a Mass Audubon funded pizza or ice cream party for the Bird-a-thon team.

  • Greater Boston /North Shore – Joppa Flats with a 41% increase in fundraising from 2011 to 2012
  • Southeast/Islands – Oak Knoll with a 201% increase in fundraising from 2011 to 2012
  • Central/West – Broad Meadow Brook with a 58% increase in fundraising from 2011 to 2012

Statewide Top Individual Fundraiser – Kathy Seymour who raised $19,498.90 for Drumlin Farm. Kathy’s prize is a day of birding with Wayne Petersen. Thank you Kathy – you are simply amazing!

Top Three Fundraisers by Region (Non-staff)

Each will receive a Mass Audubon bamboo utensil kit.

  • Greater Boston/North Shore – Ann Gurka (Joppa Flats), Marygrace Barber (Boston Nature Center), Strickland Wheelock (Drumlin Farm)
  • Southeast/Islands –Janet Drohan (Wellfleet Bay), Ann Vaughan (Wellfleet Bay), Mike Sylvia (Wellfleet Bay)
  • Central/West – Larry Pistrang (Wachusett Meadows) Russ Holden (Stony Brook) Stephanie Hill (Wildwood), 
  • Headquarters/Others – Michael Pappone (IBA)

Young Birders Award

For any birder 18 or younger who raises $200 or more will receive set of three Mass Audubon pocket guides.

  • Jonah Boardman, Drumlin Farm
  • Shoshana Boardman, Drumlin Farm
  • Miriam Boardman, Drumlin Farm
  • James Ossam, Drumlin Farm
  • Michael Ossam, Drumlin Farm
  • Jeffrey Ossam, Drumlin Farm
  • Oliver Hecht, Drumlin Farm
  • Alexa Thomas, Drumlin Farm
  • Michael Perkins, Drumlin Farm
  • Benjamin Peter, Ipswich River
  • Tom Lupien, Oak Knoll

High Flyers BAT 2012 Award 

For any fundraiser who raised $500 or more will receive an invitation to attend 1 of 2 birding outings with the President of Mass Audubon and a star birder. If you raised more than $500 and your name is missing from this list please accept our apologies and contact [email protected] so we can be sure to include you.

Ivan Ace, Ellen Adams, Biff Atwater, Marygrace & Peter Barber, Suzan Bellincampi, Bruce Black, Ian Boardman, Jonah Boardman, Shoshana Boardman, Miriam Boardman, Michael Boss, Julie Brandlen, Mary Brogan, Robert Buchsbaum, Paul Champlin, Christopher Ciccone, Susan Coe, Peter Crosson, Carol Decker, Florence DiTirro, Mary Dockray-Miller, Jean Dorcus, Jon Doyle, Janet Drohan, Darcy Duke, Ryan Evans, Sheryl Farnam, Gail Fenton, Kathy Fogle, Christy Foote-Smith, Jay Farwell, Dan Fournier, Nora Frank, Deborah Freed, Diana Fruguglietti, Bill Gette, Ida Giriunas, Carol Gladstone, Steve Grinley, Ann Gurka, Melissa Hansen, Oliver Hecht, David Hill, Stephanie Hill, Bobbie Hodson, Russ Holden, Jess Huddy, Phillip Hunsaker, Lisa Hutchings, Paul Ippolito, JA Ives, Robin Joyce, Brian Keevan, Elissa Landre, Dave Larson, Chris Leahy, Anne Lombard, Pat Loranger, David Ludlow, Sue MacCallum, Andrew MacBlane, Karens Marans, Candy Martinez, Henry Mauer, Keelin Miller, Lauren Miller-Donnelly, Charlie Nims, Karen O’Neill, David Ossam, James Ossam, Michael Ossam, Jeffrey Ossam, Jon Panek, Michael Pappone, Brian & Carol Parker, Jackie Pascucci, Fran Perler, Wayne  Petersen, Tia Pinney, Lawrence Pistrang, Linda Pivacek, Gina Purtell, John Riehl, Peggy Sagan, Marsha Salett, Kelly Sattman, Joe Scott, Kathy Seymour, Mary Shanley-Koeber, Pam Sowizral, Ava Steenstrup, Karen Stein, Alicia Svenson, Mike Sylvia, Ann Vaughan, Joan Walsh, Noel Weatherbee, Dave Weaver, Strickland Wheelock, Kylee Wilson, Mary Wolf, Roger Wrubel, Susan Wrublewski, Henrietta Yelle, Julia Yoshida

Final Results by Team:

Team Name

# of Species

Amount Pledged
Allens Pond 196 $4,827.03
Bird Conservation (On foot! Really on foot!) 79 $4,883.82
Berkshires 191 $4,135.00
Bertrand Chair of Ornithology (Cape Ann only) 126 $2,059.16
Blue Hills 218 $4,782.32
Boston Nature Center 155 $10,727.97
Broad Meadow Brook 121 $2,000.00
Broadmoor 187 $7,187.16
Connecticut River Valley 186 $2,824.92
CWP 203 $1,600.00
Drumlin Farm 235 $47,574.00
Education & Diversity 120 $2,064.85
Felix Neck (Martha’s Vineyard only) 124 $3,026.50
Gordon's Gaggle 106 $5,500.00
Habitat 176 $5,244.00
IBA (IBAs in Plymouth and Bristol County only) 160 $9,800.00
IRWS 213 $13,500.00
Joppa Flats  (Essex County only) 180 $29,772.00
Long Pasture 203 $8,863.52
Moose Hill 202 $2,205.71
Oak Knoll 149 $4,100.00
South Shore  (South Shore only) 164 $6,600.00
Stony Brook 175 $7,227.65
Wachusett 135 $4,027.22
Wellfleet Bay 222 $13,500.00
Wildwood 169 $5,400.00
Total Total pledged as of 8/1/2012 270 $213,432.83

Many thanks go to all who participated in this important fund raising event and to the hundreds of birders who enjoyed the pleasure of spring migration on behalf of Mass Audubon.