Forming a Birdathon Team: 2024

Count birds and enlist sponsors. You can count birds any way you like, from sitting and watching a feeder to visiting a variety of habitats or joining us on one of our bird walks. Just follow these simple steps:

First, form a team. This is a great activity for families, scout groups and other youth groups as a way to teach children about birds and their habitats while also raising funds for a great cause. Teams must be comprised of at least two people and no more than six.
Select either a single 24-hour time period or a single 48-hour time period (or portion of) for your count during April 20 to May 19. You can do your Birdathon at any time and at any place within Loudoun County during that window, and you can count species for as many hours as you like during the time period that you select. If this is your first Birdathon, check out Tips for New Birdathon Teams.
Sign up for the Birdathon using the form below. Once we receive your information, we will post your team name so people can sponsor your team.
Download the Birdathon materials below.
Enlist your sponsors (family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, businesses, your employer), asking them to support your team either with a fixed amount or on a per species basis (e.g. .50 cents per species). Your supporters can donate online or make a pledge. We will notify you of any donation or pledge made to support your team. All donations are tax deductible.
On the day(s) of your counting, find as many species as possible and mark off the checklist. Refer to the Birdathon Rules for specific guidelines.
Use hashtags #LWCBirdathon2024 and #LWCBirdathon when sharing content on social media. You can post before you go out birding, while you’re birding, and after you’re done, and we’ll re-share your content on our website and elsewhere.
Send a short, written summary of your Birdathon experience, including any photos of birds or your team, to sferguson@loudounwildlife.org. We will post these summaries on our website and Facebook.
After the count, fill in your totals, collect your pledges (if any) and mail your sponsor sheet (if used), money raised and bird checklist to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (P.O. Box 1892, Leesburg, VA 20177) no later than June 30.