Take Part in the Cope Environmental Center’s
BIRDATHON
from May 2-18, 2025!
What is a birdathon?
It is like a walkathon or readathon, but instead of counting steps or books, we count birds! It is an opportunity to get outside, learn your birds and help raise funds for Cope Environmental Center. If counting the species you see doesn't bring you joy, we've got other exciting ways to participate too! You can choose to challenge yourself to see how many bird species you can photograph or how many locations you can visit during the Birdathon!
Bird anytime from May 2 to May 18. Walk in your neighborhood, watch at your birdfeeders, search lakes and ponds, hike at places like Cope Environmental Center and Hayes Arboretum, or visit any bird hotspots in the country or world! Keep a checklist and seek sponsors who will donate money ($.25, $.50, $1.00, $2.00 or more!!!) per each distinct species of bird you see. Your sponsors will also have the option to make a one-time flat donation in your name for your effort. Each participant is asked to have at least one sponsor but the more the better!
Be sure to check our Upcoming Events page for the latest bird hikes and programs.
Purchase your 2025 Birdathon Pin!
Have the following information ready and click on the link below to get started! To create your personal PledgeIt account you will need:
• Your email address
• A password
• An estimation of how many species you hope to see
• An estimation of how much money you want to raise
• Photos to jazz up your account
Click here to Register or Pledge on PledgeIt!" https://charity.pledgeit.org/CECBirdathon2025
Listed below are the ways you can participate:
Be a Solo Birder: Bird on your own, count # of bird species seen
Local Team (anywhere in the Midwest), count # of bird species seen
Distant Team (anywhere in the world), count # of bird species seen
Bird Species Photographed, count # of bird species photographed
Locations Visited, count # of birding locations visited
Pre Birdathon Events:
For information on individual events, please click on the links below.
For a list of all events, be sure to check our Upcoming Events page for the latest bird hikes and programs.
Birdathon Events:
May 2: First Day Bird Hike
May 4: Bird Banding Demonstration & Research
May 5: Morning Bird Hike
May 5: Afternoon Bird Hike
May 6: Afternoon Bird Hike
May 7: Morning Bird Hike
May 8: Afternoon Bird Hike and Paws & Trails
May 8: Nocturnal Bird Hike
May 10: Indiana Audubon Society Cope Field Trip
May 11: Hayes Arboretum Field Trip
May 12: Morning Bird Hike
May 14: Morning Bird Hike
May 14: Echoes of the Night Sky Presentation
May 15: Morning Bird Hike
May 16: Bird Hike
May 17: Birds, Brews & BBQ
May 18: Morning Bird Walk
Instructions & Guidelines
RESOURCES:
Birdathon - Sample Sponsor Request
Bird Checklist for Fledging Birders
Indiana Audubon Society Field Checklist - If you need one for another state, you can search your state Audubon site for you state specific checklist.
Have questions about the Birdathon? Email info@VisitCope.org for more information!
