Count birds and enlist sponsors. You can count birds any way you like, from sitting and watching a feeder to visiting a variety of habitats or joining us on one of our bird walks. Just follow these simple steps:
Shrike Force team in 2022.
- First, form a team. This is a great activity for families, scout groups and other youth groups to learn about birds and their habitats while also raising funds for a great cause. Teams must be comprised of at least two people and no more than six.
- Select either a single 24-hour time period or a single 48-hour time period (or portion of) for your count during April 19 to May 18. You can do your Birdathon at any time and at any place within Loudoun County during that window, and you can count species for as many hours as you like during the time period that you select. If this is your first Birdathon, check out Tips for New Birdathon Teams.
- Sign up your team for the Birdathon using the form below. Once we receive your information, we will post your team name so people can sponsor your team.
- Download the Birdathon materials from the list on the Celebrate Birds page.
- Enlist your sponsors (family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, businesses, your employer), asking them to support your team either with a fixed amount or on a per species basis (e.g. .50 cents per species). See Fundraising Tools and Tips for ideas. Your supporters can donate online or make a pledge. We will notify you of any donation or pledge made to support your team.
- On the day(s) of your counting, find as many species as possible and and enter them in eBird or mark off the checklist. Refer to the Birdathon Rules for specific guidelines.
- Use hashtags #LWCBirdathon2025 and #LWCBirdathon when sharing content on social media. You can post before you go out birding, while you’re birding, and after you’re done, and we’ll re-share your content on our website and elsewhere.
- Send a short, written summary of your Birdathon experience (as a Word doc or email) and any photos of birds or your team, to sferguson@loudounwildlife.org. We will post the team summaries on our website and Facebook.
- After the count, fill in your totals, collect your pledges (if any) and mail your money raised and bird checklist to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (P.O. Box 1892, Leesburg, VA 20177) no later than June 1.
The 2025 Birdathon has ended, but will return in the spring of 2026.
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