Calgary Bird Banding Society - Dedicated to the Research and Conservation of Birds

Baillie Birdathon 2008

Want to have a lot of fun and help birds and nature at the same time? Do a Birdathon this May! It's challenging, exhilarating, and - beware - addictive! Birdathoners just can't help coming back for more, year after year!

More than 7,000 people from across Canada (and from several countries around the world) participate in and/or sponsor Birdathon in May of every year. During a 24-hour period in May, they attempt to find as many bird species as they can, sponsored at a flat rate, or on a per-species basis. Birders can designate a favourite conservation organization to receive a portion of the funds they raise. Bird observatories (such as the Calgary Bird Banding Society) can also be designated as recipients of fund raising.

For more information, visit the Baillie Birdathon website.  (click here)

A CBBS Member's Story of Participating in the 2007 Baillie Birdathon

As two accountants with a large tax practice, we eagerly wait for May so we can leave work behind and enjoy spring. About 20 years ago, we bought a mid-May timeshare week in Banff so that we had an excuse for a week of family time. We began participating in the Baillie Birdathon again as an excuse for spending a day birding with a focus.

The first few years, our children were young and we had a babysitter come from Calgary to spend the day with them. As they got older, Maryanne and Michael decided they wanted to see what happened in a birdathon. We developed some birding bingo cards and made a game out of the day. Birding bingo lasted for about five years and both kids developed good identification and spotting skills. Now, they can't take time off school so for a week we are "empty nesters" with our kids sponsoring us!

Banff National Park presents a number of challenges - it's large, many species are migrating through and the weather can range from snow to rain to sunshine all on the same day. So picking the "right" day can have as big an impact on the final count as the route. This year we split the 24 hour period over two days. The highlight of the day was finding a Dusky Grouse was hunkered down less than 2 feet from the highway. It sat patiently while we checked out the field markings and took its picture. What a find!

Over the years we have developed loyal supporters and the birdathon is not done until we assemble the story and pictures of the day for them. The money raised is designated for the Calgary Bird Banding Society. A few years ago, our daughter Maryanne was encouraged by the Banding Society to apply for the Doug Tarry Ornithological Workshop. To our delight she applied and was accepted. The following summer she returned to Long Point and conducted a research project with a number of her friends from the year before. Unfortunately, she was too young to band in Calgary so Mom had to take up banding as well. Now, banding is an enjoyable Mother-Daughter affair during fall migration.

Bev & Ed Kissinger
May 23, 2007

International Migratory Bird Day

IMBD Theme 2008

Tropics to Tundra: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People

Migratory birds travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites throughout the Western Hemisphere. In 2008, IMBD will explore the birds that make these fantastic journeys, the habitats on which they depend, and the people who are important to the conservation of birds and their habitats along the way.

International Migratory Bird Day is officially celebrated on the second Saturday in May in the U.S. and Canada. While most events will take place on May 10, 2008, we encourage you to organize your program, event, or festival when it best suits you and the birds. IMBD materials are not dated and may be used year-round.
click here for the IMBD website

As part of IMBD 2008, CBBS will have a display booth at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on Sunday, May 11, 2008. Look for more details in the spring.