World Series of Birding Fundraiser 2008

[Erik Enbody]

Fellow birders and conservationists alike,

      It is that time of year again! Spring is in the air and the time for
the World Series of Birding approaches once again.  Fresh off from our
success a year ago, the Blue Oystercatcher Cult young birding team
will return again this May to New Jersey to compete in the country's
most intense birding event!  Last year team member Craig Bateman and I
managed to raise over $2,000 for Whitefish Point Bird Observatory and
another team member raised an additional $2,000 for conservation in
Florida.  Craig and I plan to accept pledges to support Whitefish
Point Bird Observatory once again this year and we invite you to
assist us in breaking the amount we raised last year.  Last year our
team managed to see 204 birds during the big day, placing first in the
youth competition and 9th overall.  If you are interested in reading
about our experience last year, you can read a trip report posted
here-
http://www.freewebs.com/michiganbirds/worldseriesofbirding.htm
      Many of you may spend considerable time each spring and fall at
Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, located in northern Chippewa County
on Lake Superior.  The point is one of the most prominent migration
areas for massive numbers of waterbirds, raptors, owls, and passerines
alike.  It is also one of the most visited birding spots for in-state
as well as out-of-state birders and nature enthusiasts.  In hopes of
keeping this great birding location available for generations to come
and for ongoing research to continue, we ask you to help support the
observatory by also helping our dedicated World Series of Birding
team.
   The World Series of Birding is a 24-hour birding competition to raise
money for bird conservation as well as other outdoor organizations.
The goal is to see as many birds as possible in the state of New
Jersey in the specified time span. Our team, called the Blue
Oystercatcher Cult, consists of fellow Michigander Craig Bateman,
Philip Chaon(OH), and Danny Williams(CT).  Nikon Optics supports our
team by providing funding for the big day, in hopes of the team
member's efforts to raise money for a cause of their choice.  We have
chosen Whitefish Point because of its importance in the Michigan
birding culture to us, as we both spend considerable amounts of time
there each year.
   We would feel gratified if any of you were to pledge even a small
amount, as every little bit helps.  A common form of donation is to
pledge an amount per species (10 cents a bird for example), or you may
donate just a flat amount.  If, for example, you pledged 10 cents per
bird and we saw roughly 200 species again this year, then your
donation would be around $20.00.  All donations are tax deductible.

PLEASE, email Craig or I if you would like to help WPBO out by
donating some money. We would greatly appreciate it, as well as the
bird observatory.

Thank you,

-Erik Enbody: stormpetrels at gmail.com
-Craig Bateman: batemanc at gmail.com

World Series Information:  http://www.njaudubon.org/WSB/
Whitefish Point:  http://www.wpbo.org/
Nikon(our sponsor):  http://www.nikonusa.com/