What is a Bird-a-Thon?

A Bird-a-Thon is a birding event during which birders try to see or hear the greatest number of bird species possible during a 24-hour period. We are conducting a pilot program to organize a national Blind Birder Bird-a-thon for legally blind birders. If this pilot is popular and successful, we hope the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon will become an annual event.

What is the Goal of the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon?

The goal of the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon is to encourage as many legally blind individuals of all ages from across the United States to go outdoors in their local area and bird regardless of their level of expertise in identifying birds. Birds can be identified by listening to their songs, so blind birders can enjoy birding as much as sighted birders do.

Who Will Be Eligible to Participate?

To participate in the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon, a person must be legally blind and a resident of the United States. The participant can bird anywhere they choose within the 50 U.S. states. The participant may, at their discretion, choose to bird alone, form a team of other legally blind birders, or enlist the assistance of a sighted person to help them identify birds or drive them to desired birding areas in their region.

Do I Need to Be An Expert Birder to Participate?

No. Even if you have never birded before, we strongly encourage you to use this opportunity to discover the joys of birding. We will work to identify people near you who can help you get started either before the Bird-a-Thon or for the event, although we cannot guarantee finding someone to help. We will also be conducting two virtual information sessions about the Bird-a-Thon (see below) and resources to prepare for the big day.

What is the Date of the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon?

The Bird-a-Thon will be on Sunday, May 18, 2025, starting at 12:01 AM and ending at midnight that day, local time. Participants may bird at any time during the 24 hour period as long as they bird at least two hours within the 24 hour window. This date coincides with the peak migration period in North America and to peak song activity for birders to hear their avian friends. 

What Are the Rules for the Bird-a-Thon?

The legally blind participant must either hear or see the bird in order to count the species in their list. If the legally blind participant is accompanied by a sighted person to help identify what the participant sees or hears, the bird species can be counted. But if the legally blind participant does not hear or see something their sighted assistant sees or hears, that species cannot be counted.

If you are a member of a team that birds together for the event, a bird species can be counted if any member of the team hears or sees the bird. In other words, it is not necessary for all members of the team to see or hear the bird in order for the species to be counted.

Participants may not use playback recordings.

Each participant can participate on only one bird-a-thon team, whether as a solo birder or with other legally blind birders on a team.

The participant, or the designated person of a team, must submit their bird list to the event organizers (more details on this will be forthcoming).

How Do the Event Organizers Know that My List of Birds Seen or Heard is Accurate?

Birding is dependent on the honor system, which is universally recognized in the birding community. In the event of a highly unusual bird report, the organizing committee may ask for further details before accepting the report. All participants must follow the Code of Ethics shown below and adapted from the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Where Do I Register for This Event?

You can visit https://www.birdability.org/blind-birder-birdathon to sign up for additional information and to receive email updates as planning continues. Registration for the event will be available soon. 

How Will the Results Be Compiled?

Prior to the event, we will provide a link to all registrants a checklist of North American birds to use or consult for documenting the birds they see or hear during the Blind Birders Bird-a-Thon. Each participant will submit their list of birds they saw or heard during the 24 hour period to event organizers for compilation. All participants will receive the results of the compilation. These results will include total number of species seen by all participants combined; participants who tallied the most birds during the Bird-a-Thon, as well as birders who compiled the most for their state; and a complete list of all the bird species seen or heard across the country.

Do I have to Fund Raise or Pay Any Fee to Participate?

No. The goal of this event is to just go outdoors and have fun birding regardless of your level of expertise! 

Do I have to Bird All Day?

No. But you must bird a minimum of two hours during the 24 hour period in order to qualify for the Bird-a-Thon. Beyond that, bird as much or as little as you like. Bird in your back yard or all around your region. All bird species seen or heard must be within the 24 hour period of the Blind Birders Bird-a-Thon. 

Will There be Prizes for Participants?

Yes! All registered participants will be entered into a drawing for items donated for the event. We will distribute these items until we run out of items to distribute. You may want to check the website periodically for an updated list of donated items for the drawing.

Will there be information sessions to learn more?

Yes. We are planning to hold two virtual information sessions to help those interested in participating. The information sessions will include helpful resources to get started, background on bird-a-thons, and an opportunity to ask questions to the event organizers. The information sessions will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 2:00 PM EST and Wednesday, April 30, at 7 PM EST. Zoom links will be available on the event website and sent to those who register.

Who Can I Contact for More Information or Questions?

Please contact Martha Steele at marthajs@verizon.net if you need any information or have any questions. 

Adapted Massachusetts Audubon Society Birding Code of Ethics

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first.

1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.

1. Support the protection of important bird habitat.

2. To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming—and please avoid using bird song apps or taped playback to attract birds.

1. Do not use recordings and other mechanical methods to attract birds—most notably in heavily-birded areas—or to attract any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern in your area

2. Keep well back from known nest locations, nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important bird feeding sites. If there is a need for extended observation, photography, or filming in such sensitive areas, try to use a blind or other existing structure to remain inconspicuous, or else take advantage of natural cover.

3. Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups.

3. Before advertising the presence of a rare bird (especially during Bird-a-thon), evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area. Proceed and allow other observers to view the bird only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private landowners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities, including those found during Bird-a-thon.

4. Stay on roads, trails, and paths either where they already exist, or else on your own property; otherwise, keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.

2. Respect the law, and the rights of others.

1. Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission. 

2. Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas.

3. Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.

3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.

1. Keep dispensers, water, and food clean, and free of decay or disease. It is important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.

2. Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.

3. If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards.

4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care.

In addition to the obligations spelled out in Section 1 and Section 2 above (as well as rules for events such as Bird-a-thon), each individual in the group has responsibilities as a Group Member.

1. Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders.

2. If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the situation, and intervene if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform the person(s) of the inappropriate action, and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If the behavior continues, document it, and notify appropriate individuals or organizations.