Bird-A-Thon by Bicycle
September 28, 2023
The 45th Annual Rich Stallcup Bird-A-Thon is officially underway! September 15 – October 15, birders of all ages and skill levels are counting as many bird (and other) species as they can during a 24-hour period, encouraging people to sponsor them for their efforts, and raising critical funds for conservation.
Lorrie Klosterman and Aminy Ostfeld of team Verte Brats kicked off this year’s Bird-A-Thon with a day of birding by bicycle along a 4-mile coastal stretch of beautiful Santa Cruz, California. The Verte Brats encountered a variety of habitats along the way, including favorite nature spots such as West Cliff Drive, Lighthouse Field State Beach, Natural Bridges State Beach, Antonelli Pond, Younger Lagoon, Wilder Ranch State Park, and Neary Lagoon.
“We are a two-generation pair of humans who enjoy finding, watching, illustrating, learning about, rescuing, protecting, and communing with other lifeforms on the planet. The Bird-a-Thon is one of the ways we have fun while contributing to a greater good: the essential work of Point Blue.”
– Lorrie Klosterman and Aminy Ostfeld of team Verte Brats
The team surpassed their birding goal and spotted 62 species of birds, which included rare Willow Flycatcher and Eastern Kingbird sightings!
Check out their bird list below!
In addition to these bird sightings, the Verte Brats were thrilled to encounter nine kinds of mammals, three reptile species, and one amphibian, including the Southern alligator lizard, California sea lion, long-tailed weasel, and more.
As an added bonus to their memorable day, these sightings meant that the Verte Brats met this year’s new Marcia Grand Bird-A-Thon Team Challenge: Any team that correctly identifies 1 animal from each of the following 3 taxonomic groups – Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles – will receive a $50 gift for their team total to support Point Blue. This challenge was inspired by Rich Stallcup, who recorded every living creature he saw during his Bird-A-Thon.
From September 15 – October 15, hundreds of birders and conservation enthusiasts alike choose a day to spend time in nature identifying as many bird species as possible through either sight or sound. Participate from anywhere in the world individually or create/join a team to make your count. Then encourage your friends, family, and co-workers to sponsor you, all to benefit conservation science.
To learn more and to register for the Bird-A-Thon, please click here.
The Verte Brats’ Bird List:
- Wood Duck
- Mallard
- Brandt’s Cormorant
- Pelagic Cormorant
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Pied-billed Grebe
- Brown Pelican
- Heerman’s Gull
- Western Gull
- Kildeer
- Whimbrel
- Black Turnstone
- Wandering Tattler
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Green Heron
- American Coot
- California Quail
- Wild Turkey
- Rock Pigeon
- Band-tailed Pigeon
- Eurasian Collared Dove
- Mourning Dove
- Turkey Vulture
- Red-tailed Hawk
- American Kestrel
- Great-horned Owl
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Belted Kingfisher
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Steller’s Jay
- California Scrub Jay
- American Crow
- Common Raven
- Willow Flycatcher
- Pacific-slope Flycatcher
- Black Phoebe
- Eastern Kingbird
- California Thrasher
- American Robin
- Wrentit
- Bushtit
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee
- Oak Titmouse
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Pygmy Nuthatch
- Bewick’s Wren
- Warbling Vireo
- Yellow Warbler
- Wilson’s Warbler
- Dark-eyed Junco
- Savannah Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- California Towhee
- Spotted Towhee
- House Finch
- Lesser Goldfinch
- American Goldfinch
- Hooded Oriole
- Brewer’s Blackbird
- European Starling