Big Day Update: We hit 165 species!! 

Thank you so much for your donations and your support throughout our big day! The House Wrenegades Birdathon team finished the day with 165 species and having raised thousands of dollars for Tucson Audubon Society. We had a great day birding separately but united in our goal. By staying very connected throughout the day using technology it almost felt like we were together. For most of the day I birded from just the yard in Rio Rico and got around 30 species which is quite good! I was also compiling the observations made by my team mates and keeping a running total throughout the day. As it got to be aftrenoon and we cound't find any new species in the yard, we started to itch to go further out. From the group list I could see some missing species that could be found near our current location and we decided to go for it!

Here's some moments from the end of the day when we were dashing around trying to find some of our missing species. This is often the most exhilarating part of a big day of birding. The evening hours were spent rushing down to look for Thick-billed Kingbird at Santa Gertrudis Lane and then headed to Amado Pond. This is a great place where glorious surprises can pop up, see the attached video to see what happened there. Powered by our success we zoomed into the night and did hear a Common Poorwill's repetitive song. As we were about to head home victorious, we heard a distant laughing call. It was an Elf Owl, the smallest owl in the world! A lovely compensation for pushing to the very end.

----

Hi! I'm Jennie Wren of the "House Wrenegades" - aka Jennie MacFarland 

The last several years the Wrenegades have been a swashbuckling crew that searched the Sky Islands for hummingbird jewels and bird treasure. This year the Wrenegades Birdathon team has become the "House Wrenegades" - we are still a team that will try our hardest to get lots of species but with some restrictions. We will all do our birding on Saturday May 2 but we will birding apart and combining our species. Each House Wrenegade team member has a different strategy and we will share our separate yet shared adventure with all of you. 

My strategy for our bird Birdathon day will be to only count species I can see from our yard in Rio Rico. If I stare into the scope hard enough I may even see something soaring over the Santa Cruz River! This year I am really taking the “House” part of our team name to heart. 

Birds need us now more than ever, and Tucson Audubon needs your help now more than ever. With this crisis impacting every person and family, Tucson Audubon needs your support to continue our mission to inspire people to enjoy and protect birds. If you feel comfortable participating this year, I would be grateful for your support. If not, please know that I completely understand and it is no problem. All friends are welcome to follow along on our day of birding adventure. We will be posting messages and videos on our big day May 2. 

Please join me and become part of the House Wrenegades Team as a supporter. Arrr, mateys!

Pledges

• Marcia Grand: $10/species
• Ricard Carlson: $1/species

..DONATE (PAY NOW)..          ..PLEDGE (PAY LATER)..

Birds have a unique, special, and different meaning to each of us. So, too, is each of our connection with Tucson Audubon Society personal and distinct. During Birdathon, we combine the love of bird watching during spring migration with support for bird conservation.

Birdathoners are birders and social fundraisers, joining together to make a difference for the birds and habitats of Southeast Arizona. Birdathoners continue a tradition that has held strong for over 30 years! 

Each Birdathoner's personal network of supporters is what helps makes Birdathon possible. 

Supporting a team by writing a check?

• Make checks payable to: Tucson Audubon Society
• Write the team name on memo line
• Mail to: 
  Tucson Audubon Society
  300 E University Blvd #120
  Tucson, AZ 85705

REGISTER YOUR OWN TEAM HERE
BACK TO BIRDATHON HOME PAGE