Weekend Events Aid Birds and the Environment
September 15, 2018
By Steve Grinley

     With the passing of Betty Anderson of Middleboro a few weeks ago, a friend to everyone who loves birds and founder and director of the Manomet Bird Observatory (now Manomet, Inc), I thought that I would share with you a couple of this weekend’s events, one of which was close to Betty’s heart. Betty was a mentor to many of the local birders that will be participating in this weekend’s Bird-A-Thon and to some of the noteable ornithologists of our time. This is Manomet’s Press Release on the event:

     “Manomet Inc. will hold its 40th annual Bird-A-Thon fundraiser on Saturday, September 15 through Sunday, September 16, 2018. Manomet’s Bird-a-Thon is a 48-hour birding competition and fundraiser that supports Manomet’s Landbird Conservation Program, which includes the Banding Lab and it’s research as well as all education and outreach programming. Teams can participate from all over the world.

     “Much of Manomet’s 50-year history stems from connecting people to nature, from the birth of our landbird banding operation in 1969 to our trips led by our scientists to see our work in action. Encouraging people to engage with and learn about nature has been an important pillar in how Manomet carries out its mission. “Manomet’s Bird-A-Thon is much more than just a fundraiser,” said Evan Dalton, Lead Instructor of Manomet’s Landbird Conservation program. “It’s a chance to spend a weekend outdoors with other people who share your interest in these amazing animals. Birds tell us so much about the world around us and Bird-A-Thon is a great time to stop and listen.”

     “Since 1969, Manomet’s Landbird Conservation program staff and bird banding interns have worked to educate, train, and engage people of all ages and interest levels on the importance of getting outside and understanding human influence on the natural world. From inviting local schools to visit the lab for a live demonstration, to bringing our research to classrooms, conferences, and partner stations across the world, our reach has extended far beyond the town lines of Plymouth, Massachusetts.

     “The format of Bird-A-Thon is similar to a walk-a-thon, only instead of counting miles, we’re counting bird species,” explains Chris Boudreaux, Manomet’s Donor Relations Manager. “By participating (either by birding or sponsoring those who do), you’re helping us educate people of all ages about landbird migration and our connection to the natural world. All of the money raised goes to help purchase mist nets for our banding lab, run education programs for area students, and to collect data about migrating birds.”

     “The 40th annual Manomet Bird-A-Thon also coincides with ‘The Year of the Bird.’ Manomet has joined with National Geographic and more than 190 other federal agencies, state and national parks, birding clubs, research institutions, conservation organizations, and media to mark the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; this law has saved millions, if not billions, of birds from the effects of habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, collisions with human-made structures, predatory cats, and pesticides. For more information or to participate in Manomet’s Bird-A-Thon, visit https://www.manomet.org/event/2018-manomet-bird-a-thon.

     More local this weekend is the Plum Island COASTSWEEP 2018, sponsored by Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday the 15th, 9am to 5pm.

     For more than 20 years, thousands of COASTSWEEP volunteers have cleaned hundreds of miles of shoreline and riverbanks. The COASTSWEEP project will involve removing trash and debris from the beaches of Plum Island, including Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Sandy Point State Reservation, and the north end of the island. Over the past 11 years, more than 16 tons of debris has been collected.

     David Larson and David Moon of Joppa Flats will be at Lot 1 on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island starting at 9am. Bring work gloves. Children and adults are welcome. Spend an hour or two, or all day if you wish, and help protect the nature of Massachusetts!

Steve Grinley
Bird Watcher’s Supply & Gift
Route 1 Traffic Circle
194 Route 1
Newburyport, MA 01950
BirdWSG@Comcast.net
978-462-0775
www.birdwatcherssupplyandgifts.com
Celebrating 23 years of service to the birding community!
Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/birdwatcherssupply