Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Annual Delaware Bird-A-Thon May 6 - 14

Throughout the course of 11 years, the Delmarva Bird-A-Thon has established a conservation legacy that has resulted in the preservation of 1,381 acres of vital
bird habitat in Delaware.

"This success is the result of thousands of loyal advocates who have participated annually in the Delaware Bird-A-Thon," stated Bill Stewart, President of the Delmarva Ornithological Society.

Acting independently and through partnerships with various
state agencies, as well as public and private organizations, the
funds generated have enabled the purchase of essential bird habitats in Delaware, as well as funding numerous special projects relating to bird conservation.

This initiative is a project of the Delmarva Ornithological Society (DOS) in alliance with The Conservation Fund, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and Delaware Wild Lands.
About the Delaware Bird-A-Thon
The Delaware Bird-A-Thon is a fundraiser much like a walk-a-thon. Participants sign up as many pledge sponsors as possible. During any single 24-hour period from May 6 through
May 14, 2017, contestants can bird anywhere in the State of Delaware, and count as many different species as possible. Prizes are deter- mined by multiplying the number of species sighted by the monetary pledge amount. Prize categories are established to reward those whose efforts achieved the greatest results.


1,381 acres have been preserved through the Delaware Bird-A-thon.
- 17 ACRES of bay-shore habitat acquired at Fowler Beach, added to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- 10 ADDITIONAL ACRES acquired along Fowler Beach in 2012 with funds from the DOS Migratory Shorebird Habitat Acquisition Fund
- 52 ACRES purchased through partnership with DNREC at Mispillion Harbor for Red Knot roosting areas
- 194 ACRES purchased through partnership with DNREC of coastal freshwater marsh lands at Thousand Acre Marsh, creating the first public access to the marsh
- OVER 800 ACRES purchased in partnership with DNREC of tidal wetlands, forested buffers and farmland along the Delaware Bay and St. Jones River
- 140 ACRES purchased in partnership with DNREC of Ashton Tract - -----ADDITIONAL ACREAGE to be announced later this year
ASHLAND HAWK WATCH established in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society
PROVIDED FUNDING for two GPS-GSM radio transmitters for Project SNOWstorm, a research initiative on the Snowy Owl irruption of 2013/2014
2015 DOS CONSERVATION SCIENCE GRANT awarded to NJ Audubon for shorebird research in the Delaware Bay

About DOS
The Delmarva Ornithological Society (DOS) is the area's leading organization focused on promoting the study of birds, advancing and disseminating ornithological knowledge, and facilitating the conservation of birds and their environment.

More at: www.DOSBirds.org


The society includes over 450 members from nine states who come from diverse backgrounds. All share a love of birds and an interest in protecting their valuable habitats. In addition to the annual Delaware Bird-A-Thon, DOS sponsors many other bird-related activities and trips around the region for birders of all levels.
For information, contact Bill Stewart at 610-864-0370 or email bird-del@earthlink.net