Spring Birdathon: How to Participate in 2010

|Actions to Participate | Rules and Definitions | Print Version|

Take These Actions to Participate

1. Review dates on the Calendar. The brief 2010 timeline is:
   • Birdathon Window: March 27 to April 25
   • To compete for prizes, submit results by: May 17, 5 PM
   • Birdathon Awards Dinner: June 8, 6 PM
2. Register online for your own Self-Guided Team or one of our pre-arranged Guided Teams. You must register for a Guided Team one week before the day of the team's Birdathon. Plus, if you register by March 1, we will add your team and name to the participant list to receive online sponsors. Find the descriptions of Guided Teams in the calendar.
3. Request Pledges.
   • You must receive at least $50 in sponsorships to compete for prizes. We hope you will solicit many pledges, but you can donate this yourself by check or online also.
   • Review our pledge hints to maximize your pledges.
   • Use our sample pledge ask letter (PDF or editable MS Word) if you want.
   • Use our sample pledge tracking sheet (PDF or editable MS Excel) if you want.
   • People can sponsor you with a donation online or by giving you a check made out to SCVAS.
4. Go Birding. Count bird species with your team on your chosen day within the Birdathon Window, March 27 to April 25. You must count within Santa Clara County to complete for Most Species and Best Bird. You can count anywhere to compete for Most Money prizes!
5. Collect Donations.
   • Collect all pledged money from your sponsors.
   • Use our sample pledge thank you letter (PDF or editable MS Word) after you receive donations.
   • Consider sending a trip report to your sponsors, reminding them of their pledge and telling them how many species you counted. They really like to read about your big day. Email your report and optional team photo to the Birdathon Committee and we will post it online too!
6. Submit Your Results.
   • To be eligible to win a prize, each team member must submit a Results Form (PDF or editable MS Word), money collected, and pledge tracking sheets to the SCVAS Office by the Results Submission Deadline, May 17 at 5 pm. Team Leaders should submit the species list.
   • The Birdathon Committee may use the submitted pledge tracking sheets to award special prizes and to send a thank you.
   • Please submit your individual Results Form, no matter how little you raise, since these will be used to calculate your team totals.
7. Win a Valuable Prize.
   • Wonderful prizes are donated to SCVAS by our generous Prize Sponsors. We encourage everyone to patronize them and, while there, mention SCVAS.
   • The Birdathon Committee will use your submitted Results Form to determine all prizes.
   • Money received sponsoring a team will be divided evenly between all registered team members.
   • Winning Categories
     • Most Money Raised by Individuals - The individuals that collect the most money (usually above $300) will select their own prize from the group of top prizes. Count anywhere.
     • Most Species Seen by a Team - One team from each of the Competition Categories (24- and 4-hour and Big Sit) will have their team name engraved on the Spring Birdathon Champion Birders plaque. Count within Santa Clara County only.
     • Most Money Raised by a Team - One team in each of the Competition Categories (24- and 4-hour and Big Sit) will have their team name engraved on the Spring Birdathon plaque. Your submitted individual Results Forms will be used to calculate the team totals. Count anywhere.
     • Best Bird - The team in any category that spots the most unusual bird also will have its team name on the Spring Birdathon Best Bird plaque. Count within Santa Clara County only.
     • Special Prizes - We may award additional prizes based on the submitted Results Forms.
     • Awards Dinner Prizes - Additional prizes will be given at the Awards Dinner for bird contests, quizzes, raffles and more. All Birdathon participant attendees are eligible!
   • Prizes can be picked up at the Awards Dinner or please make your own arrangements to pick up your prize at the SCVAS office.
8. Attend Awards Dinner. Find out who won the big prizes at the Awards Dinner on June 8 at 6 PM! All Spring Birdathon participants are encouraged to attend the dinner at McClellan Ranch Park. There will be free food and refreshments, games, surprises, raffles, and fun for all! Prizes will be distributed at the dinner.

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Rules and Definitions

1. Eligibility. Anyone can participate, including SCVAS members and non-members; expert and beginning birders; Birdathon Committee members; SCVAS volunteers, staff, committee, and board members.
2. Competition Categories.
   • 24-Hour - count species in any continuous time interval of between 4 and 24-hours within the Birdathon Window.
   • 4-Hour - count species in any continuous time interval of less than 4-hours within the Birdathon Window.
   • Big Sit - count species seen from a 30-foot diameter circle in any continuous time interval of less than 4-hours within the Birdathon Window. Participants may leave the circle at any time, but birds will only be counted if sighted or heard from within the circle.
3. Types of Birdathon Teams
   • Guided - Guided teams and team leaders are prearranged by the Birdathon Committee and are open to anyone. See the list of teams in our Birdathon calendar. The Birdathon day is chosen by the Team Leader. Some leaders set a maximum number of team members, so register early online or by calling the SCVAS office at least one week before the scheduled Birdathon day. Participants should be over 17 years old, unless otherwise specified.
   • Self-Guided - Choose your own team leader, members, name and Birdathon Day. Register online or by calling the SCVAS office at least one week before the scheduled Birdathon day. Your team must have at least two members and the maximum number is up to you. Any age can participate.
4. Fundraising
   • Pledge Sponsor - Someone who pledges to give you a specified amount ($.25, $1, etc.) per bird species that you identify on your Birdathon. You collect this money after your Birdathon Day when you know the number of species found.
   • Donation Sponsor - Someone who pledges to give you a flat amount ($5, $25, $100), regardless of the number of species identified. You can collect this money before or after your Birdathon Day. This method requires the least amount of work for you.
   • Creative Sponsor - Someone who challenges you with a creative pledge (ex: $ per raptor, $ per species seen before 6 AM, $ per nest, use your imagination to increase pledges...).
   • Team Sponsor - money received sponsoring a team without mentioning a specific team member will be divided evenly between all registered team members.
   • Pledge Tracking Sheets - Log sheet for entering the names and addresses of your sponsors. Mark those that donate over $20 and want to receive a complimentary one-year membership to SCVAS (membership includes a subscription to The Avocet).
   • Individual Money Raised - Any money you raise (including the $50 minimum) counts toward your own individual total indicated on your own Results Form, not towards your team leader's total.
   • Corporate Team - a team made up of individuals from one business that can be sponsored by that business.
5. Birdathon Day Rules
   • Your birdathon day should be within the Birdathon Window.
   • All teams must consist of at least two members; there is no maximum.
   • If you are competing for Most Species or Best Bird prizes, you must count within Santa Clara County. You can count anywhere to compete for Most Money prizes.
   • Team members must stay within sight of each other on their Birdathon Day.
   • Bird song tapes and "pishing" are allowed. Please use common sense in using these tactics and never harass the birds, many of which may be trying to protect territories. We encourage all teams to abide by the American Birding Association Code of Ethics.

Last modified in March 2010.