This year’s “Bird and Brag” Birdathon goal is to raise $5,000 for Venice Area Audubon Society’s 2nd Grade Birdwatchers Program.  In addition to adding to the collective total number of species documented during the event, the team that finds the most bird species on one day within the Birdathon weekend also earns bragging rights for the year.  

Who can participate?  “Bird and Brag” is open to everyone!  VAAS members, non-members, birders of all skill levels and ages, and supporters are invited to participate.   

How can I participate?  Use the DOWNLOADABLE FORM: BIRD AND BRAG.pdf

• Form or join a team and go birding during the Birdathon weekend, March 8-11, 2024.  If you’re new to the Venice area or new to birding, we’ll assign you to a team so you can participate.
• Encourage others to join the fun and form a team.  More teams are more fun!
• Plan to support Venice Area Audubon Society’s 2nd Grade Birdwatchers Program with a donation AND encourage family and friends to make a donation!  Choose your donation option:

1. A fixed amount to support the overall Birdathon effort;
2. An amount of your choice for each species found by the team of your choice
3. An amount of your choice for the total number of species documents by ALL the teams during the Birdathon.

• Email your donation amount to birdathon@veniceaudubon.org
• Venice Area Audubon Society will contact all pledge donors after the final species tally is completed with directions for payment.

How does it work?

• Assemble a team of 2-6 people who will commit to go birding on the same day during the Birdathon weekend. 
  
• Register your team’s name and participants via email to birdathon@veniceaudubon.org.  Register by March 5, 2024.  Be creative with your team name! 
  
• We’ll follow up and collect from donors after the event. 
• Go birding!  Handy hint:  Scouting areas prior to the weekend may increase opportunities to spot unique species.  See additional information in Rules & Guidelines. 
  
• Submit your team’s bird list to birdathon@veniceaudubon.org by March 20, 2024.

After the event:

• Team results will be published in the April issue of ChipNote.
• The team recording the highest number of species will get bragging rights for the year plus:
• Team photo in Venice Area Audubon’s ChipNote newsletter
• Team and team members’ names engraved on a NEW Birdathon plaque in the Venice Audubon Center

Need help or information?  Contact us at birdathon@veniceaudubon.org 

Venice Area Audubon Society is a Florida not-for-profit corporation with license #CH14584 under F.S. §496.405 and is classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity (Tax ID 23-7450895). A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. The toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), and the website is FDACS.gov.