Birdathon 2001: Audubon

Is Seeking Birds & Donations

In the pre-dawn darkness of Sunday, May 13, while the rest of the world is asleep, Birdathon 2001 will begin. Five members of Lillinonah Audubon Society will set forth around 3 am in search of a record number of birds.

For 14 hours the local team which includes Bob Hollister, Barbara Starr, and John and Carolyn Longstreth will scour the hills, valleys, rivers of western Connecticut, and the shore, in an effort to best last year’s record.

Birdathon 2001 is the major annual fundraising event of the local Audubon Society, the Lillinonah Chapter. Last year, 123 species were found, with six new species added to the overall list: the red-shouldered hawk, Merlin, brown creeper, red knot, and Wilson’s warbler.

This year’s team will be on special lookout for seven species that were not spotted last year but have been seen other years: the broad-winged hawk, ruffed grouse, piping plover, solitary sandpiper, common tern, belted kingfisher, and white-breasted nuthatch.

All of the money raised by pledges and contributions to the Birdathon will remain in western Connecticut. Lillinonah will retain half, which will be used for classroom materials and scholarships  to Audubon ecology camps. The other half will go to National Audubon and is designated for use at the Bent of the River Center in Southbury for educational programs.

Anyone wishing additional information or to contribute may send donations to Lillinonah Audubon Society, PO Box 791, Southbury, CT 06488. Any amount will be gratefully received.