Welcome to Manomet’s 46th annual Bird-a-Thon!
Bird-a-Thon is a 24-hour birding extravaganza that contributes to bird research and conservation! This is how it works: On Saturday, October 12, 2024, you can choose from a couple options – 1) Come to Manomet’s headquarters and bird with us at our all-ages, family-friendly, FREE event, or 2) You can bird on your own, wherever you usually bird, or you can choose someplace new! While you bird, the goal is to count as many bird species as you can find by sight or sound and add your findings to Manomet’s eBird list. By participating, you are being a part of community science and contributing to long-term data and critical research—and helping us reach our Bird-a-Thon goal of 660 species counted in total!
It’s easy to get involved and join the fun, and you can bird as much or as little as you’d like during the day (or night!) of Saturday, October 12. Join us in Plymouth or head outdoors wherever you are to enjoy nature, do some birding, and support Manomet’s important work. Details are below!
How You Can Get Involved in Bird-A-Thon
Go Birding with Manomet or On Your Own
- Join us at Manomet’s HQ in Plymouth, Massachusetts for this FREE, family-friendly, all-ages, annual event! We’ll have cider and doughnuts, a story hour and bird-themed coloring sheets for the littles, and a spectacular view on our bluff overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Stay for as long or as little as you like, and bird questions are welcome! For those with mobility concerns, the bluff is wheelchair accessible.
- Big Sit – 7:00am – 12:00pm
Many of you know this, but for the birding newbies a “big sit” is exactly what it sounds like: people come together to sit and watch (and count) birds. It’s a great way to get introduced to birdwatching – and you will be amazed at what you can learn from your fellow birders. (And if you’re an expert, people can learn from you!) This event is free, but registration is required – register here. - Story Hour 9:00am
Kids and grandkids will enjoy some bird-themed tales highlighting our feathered friends. - Open House 10:00am – 11:00am
Learn a little about the Trevor Lloyd-Evans Bird Banding Lab and the spring and fall migration seasons here at Manomet.
- Big Sit – 7:00am – 12:00pm
- If you’re too far from Manomet, get your friends and family together to bird in your backyard or go on a bird walk at one of your favorite places outdoors.
- Use the eBird app to track the bird species you observe and share your bird list with Manomet BAT (see directions in the resources below).
- Help us reach 660 species in 24 hours!
Represent Manomet: Bird-a-Thon Swag!
- Click here to order some awesome Bird-a-Thon swag designed by the Fall 2024 Bird Banding Team! Colorful, creative, and a great way to show your support of this annual event.
Share on Social Media
- Whether you’re joining Manomet for a bird walk or birding in your backyard—we want to see it! Share photos on Instagram and Facebook and tag @ManometCenter.
- Did you get a photo of a super cool bird you saw? Tag @ManometCenter so everyone else can see it too!
- Encourage your friends and family to participate in Bird-a-Thon by sharing Manomet’s posts leading up to the event!
Donate
- We rely on passionate environmentalists like you to continue our research and education. Consider a gift to Manomet during Bird-a-Thon to support the Trevor Lloyd-Evans Banding Lab and help us continue to find answers to complex environmental challenges and create a more sustainable future—one where future generations can enjoy nature and all it has to offer.
Donate
Resources
- BIRD IDENTIFICATION
- The Merlin Bird ID app can help you identify a bird using a photo or audio clip.
- REPORTING YOUR OBSERVATIONS
- If you’re joining a Manomet birding event, the leader will compile everyone’s observations and report for the group. If you’re birding on your own or with friends, read below on how to report your observations:
- In order to contribute to Manomet’s goal of observing 660 bird species, you must submit an eBird list—essentially a list of birds you observed in one location.
- First, download the eBird app and create an account.
- Read about how to submit your sightings on eBird.
- Once you begin birding, you’ll start a checklist and record your observations.
- When you’re done, share your checklist with Manomet by clicking “Share checklist with” and type “Manomet BAT”. Then, click submit in the lower right corner!
- Congrats—you’ve just contributed to an important data set and participated in Community Science!
- In order to contribute to Manomet’s goal of observing 660 bird species, you must submit an eBird list—essentially a list of birds you observed in one location.
- If you’re unable to submit your list via eBird, send a typed list of bird species to jbarrett@manomet.org.
- If you’re joining a Manomet birding event, the leader will compile everyone’s observations and report for the group. If you’re birding on your own or with friends, read below on how to report your observations: