BIRDATHON 2009 IS COMING!!!

So mark your calendars for May 8-9, polish the lens on your binoculars, find the bird field guide, and warm up your checkbooks and start those pens. Due to some late donations (actual really late donations - "sorry we forgot" type) Birdathon 2008 was our best Birdathon since Oxbow reclaimed the sponsorship in 2006.  We raised $6,859.43 and continued our record of gradually increasing the donations from Birdathon since it came back under the guidance of Oxbow, Inc. We are targeting to raise even more money this year but have no illusions that it will be difficult given the current economic climate. We will need your generous help. All money raised by the Birdathon supports habitat improvement and access improvement. Anyone driving in the Oxbow in 2008 saw the results of Birdathon dollars in improved roads that eliminated many of the wet weather ruts and kept access to viewing areas of the Oxbow open more days in the year. Oxbow, Inc. started me Cincinnati Area Birdathon in 1989 to foster interest in birds, to provide friendly and fun competition among birders, and to raise money for Oxbow, Inc. This is our biggest fundraiser and keeping it growing still remains our goal.

Last year the participation of 17 teams led to the identification of 197 species of birds in the Cincinnati Birdathon area.  These are outstanding totals for both participation and for species identification.  A majority of the teams provided a sighting of at least one species that no other team saw.  This is a wonderful indication of how even small team and individual efforts can add to the overall species list.  This year we hope to get enough teams to participate so that maybe we can break that 200 species mark.  

Each participant is asked to raise money for Oxbow, Inc. by obtaining donations from family and friends to support their efforts. All money collected by Oxbow, Inc. will be reserved for projects involving bird habitat improvement and increased viewing access. As in the past we will ask other organizations to sponsor teams and solicit donations. We have adopted the practice of splitting donations raised by sister organizations 50/50 between the sister organization and Oxbow, Inc.

Birdathon Pledge Form

Birdatlion Participation Form