By Kris Dobney, Fundraising Operations Manager, Birds Canada
Bird lovers, rejoice! The 2024 Birdathon was another soaring success thanks to the incredible passion and generosity of our participants, donors and sponsors. Together, we raised vital funds for bird conservation and for the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. Your efforts made a real impact – thank you!
This year’s Birdathon was filled with remarkable achievements, heartwarming traditions, and of course some friendly competition.
A special congratulations to our top fundraising team, The Long Point Bird Observatory!
There were 10 members on this team, including our own Stuart Mackenzie who pioneered a new approach – the Birdathon blitz! Stu managed to see 140 species in just 6 hours all in the Long Point area, AND raised over $10,000 for Long Point Bird Observatory. Congrats to the top team!
Stuart Mackenzie instructs the Long Point Bird Observatory Birdathon team. Photo: Kate Dalgleish
David Love and the Lovebirds Birdathon team. Photo: Tara Hurley
Another big shout out goes to our top fundraiser – David Love and the Lovebirds! This dedicated crew has been participating in Birdathon for 18 years, scouring Happy Valley for everything from the haunting calls of the Barred Owl to the ethereal tune of the Wood Thrush. 2024 was no exception bringing together friends and family to support bird conservation!
Now, let’s raise our binoculars in applause for this year’s Birdathon prize winners.
We’ll begin with a thank you to Kowa for their generous donation of two pairs of premium binoculars. These coveted prizes now belong to Jannaca Chick who was birding for Rocky Point Bird Observatory in British Columbia and Catherine Barrett of Goulds, Newfoundland.
Trish Reid of Vernon, BC with her daughter, Caroline.
Thank you to Vortex Canada who added to the excitement with a fantastic lineup of prizes:
Trish Reid of Vernon, British Columbia is now equipped with a brand-new spotting scope and tripod for the ultimate birding experience.
Pilar Bryson (Ottawa, ON), Sheldon and Darlene Harvey (Saint-Lambert, QC), and Nancy Baron (Penticton, BC) each received a pair of top-of-the-line binoculars, perfect for their birding adventures.
And the Grand Prize Winner Is…
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for, claiming the coveted Grand Prize is Alvin Dyck of Winnipeg Manitoba, who has earned an unforgettable adventure with Eagle-Eye Tours.
Congratulations, Alvin, and thank you for your outstanding efforts!
Our 2024 Birdathon Grand Prize Winner Alvin Dyck of Winnipeg, MB.
Looking Ahead to 2025
A heartfelt thank you to all Birdathon participants for making last year’s event such a success. If you’re looking forward to the next challenge, stay tuned, because spring is just around the corner, bringing the 2025 Birdathon with it.
