My favorite birding event of the year, Mass Audubon’s Bird-a-thon, will take place on May 10-11. My team is competing against 24 other wildlife sanctuaries to see which one can identify the most bird species in a 24-hour period. But this fun competition has a serious side, as well: to see which team can raise the most money to support Mass Audubon's conservation programs.

I'm raising money for the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary because it makes the Cape a wonderful place to live, for people and for wildlife. It’s certainly made my life as a full-time Wellfleet resident more fulfilling and enjoyable! The sanctuary provides plenty of opportunities for volunteers like me to get involved in citizen science and conservation projects. In addition to my summer work protecting the threatened Diamondback Terrapin, I got to help the Bird Banding Team during fall migration. It was thrilling to see (and even hold) these incredibly tiny creatures capable of flying hundreds (or thousands) of miles to reach their winter homes. The data the scientists collect about the birds they banded provide insights into the impact of climate change on birds and their habitats, which we share with them.

Plus, the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary offers an array of educational programs for local schools, families, and adults. The whole town (or so it seems) turns out for documentary films and lectures on a variety of topics. Who knew that bay scallops could be so entertaining (and so important as indicators of water quality)? Yes, life here is good!

Your donation to Bird-a-thon will ensure that the sanctuary can continue to make Cape Cod a better, healthier place for people, birds, terrapins, shellfish, and other wildlife.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Peggy