Join us for the 2012 Baillie Birdathon, the oldest sponsored bird count in North America, raising money for bird research and conservation. The challenge is to identify as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period, during the month of May. The money raised benefits Bird Studies Canada, the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund, and participating migration monitoring stations and conservation organizations (designated by participants to receive a portion of funds raised).

More than 7,000 people from across Canada (and from several countries around the world) participate in and/or sponsor Birdathon in May of every year. During a 24-hour period in May, they attempt to find as many bird species as they can, sponsored at a flat rate, or on a per-species basis. Birders can designate a favourite conservation organization to receive a portion of the funds they raise. Bird observatories can also be designated as recipients of fund raising.

The 2012 Baillie Birdathon t-shirt artwork was created by Emily S. Damstra. Emily is a natural science illustrator who draws and paints a variety of subjects including birds. She has worked with a wide range of clients including the Royal Canadian Mint, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Greystone Books, The City of Kitchener, and regularly participates in the annual Guild of Natural Science Illustrators exhibit and the biannual Focus on Nature exhibit at the New York State Museum. Emily has been an Artist-in-Residence at three U.S. National Parks and serves as President of the Southern Ontario Nature and Science Illustrators. She lives in the Great Lakes Region, where her enthusiasm for gardening, hiking, and reading fuel her deep appreciation for the local environment. Visit her website at www.emilydamstra.com.

To find out more about Birdathon, download this year's Birdathon Participant Kit or contact us at: Bird Studies Canada 1-888-448-BIRD (2473); birdathon@birdscanada.org

Birdathon Brochure
Due to popular demand, Bird Studies Canada has designed a generic Birdathon brochure that participants can give to potential sponsors. The brochure describes Birdathon and how funds are used for bird research and conservation projects. You can download a copy of this brochure by clicking here or contact Bird Studies Canada for copies by phoning 1-888-448-2473 or e-mail birdathon@birdscanada.org

Sign up today as an Individual or as a Team to participate!
Once registered, you can login to your account to customize your Personal & Team donation pages; send emails; manage offline pledges; and view the status of your Personal & Team fundraising efforts.

Would you like to sponsor a friend or family member?
Click "Sponsor a Participant" above to find the person and/or team you would like to support.

All contributions to Birdathon are tax-creditable (Canadian Registered Charity Number 11902 4313 RR0001).