May 14, 2022 is International Migratory Bird Day, a global bird conservation education event highlighting the importance of bird conservation, habitat protection and human efforts to aid migrating birds. New programs by conservationists aim to reduce light pollution which confuses nighttime flyers, to reduce window strikes and other hazards to flying birds and the importance of wintering grounds in preparing birds for their marathon flights.

Loess Hills Audubon members will be participating by gathering migration data as to species and numbers. However, they will also be doing much, much more as they take to the field. They will be participating in the Chapter’s annual Birdathon, our annual fundraiser that makes possible chapter activities and funds our conservation grants for deserving conservation and educational efforts in the area.

Loess Hills Audubon Chapter’s members will be soliciting funds much like other “-athons,” accepting donations or pledges based on chapter members’ ability to find as many species of birds as they can on Saturday, May 14 or Sunday, May 15. This collective effort will find over 100 species so budget accordingly as either an amount per species or a flat amount.

Those of you who would like to participate with the field work are invited to:

1. Form a team of your favorite birding buddies,

2. Select the area or areas you would like to bird,

3. Notify me, the coordinator, as to your plans

4. Gather pledges from friends, relatives and others,

5. Take to the field according to your plans Saturday or Sunday.

Or,

1. Gather pledges from friends and relatives,

2. Meet up with a group headed for Newton Hills State Park in South Dakota by meeting at 6:15 AM Saturday at the Public Boat Launch in Sioux City’s Chris Larsen Park. This group aims to explore a new area as they search for the Blue-winged and Hooded Warblers present there in 2021.

3. Contact Randy Williams, leader, 712-259-4705 or randy.vickie.williams@gmail.com for more information regarding this group.

Or,

1. Gather pledges from friends or relatives,

2. Call Bill Huser, Birdathon Coordinator, at 712-574-3107 for assignment to a team working more closely to town.

Unable to join in the field work? You can participate by directly donating to the Chapter by sending it to the address below.

Following the Birdathon:

• Each team forward your findings to me (enter into your eBird account also, please.) I will notify all as to the total species after receiving all lists.

• Each participant/team is requested to collect all their pledged donations and send them to me (address below).

• Each donor who pledged a donation is requested to forward it to your team or directly to me (below).  

• Each additional person who would like to donate to the Chapter’s projects is asked to send an amount based on the number of species found or a flat amount of your choosing. Be sure to designate it as ‘Birdathon’ and send to me directly: Bill Huser, Birdathon, 140 Oakmont Drive, South Sioux City, NE  68776

Most importantly, the Chapter thanks all of you who have participated or donated to Chapter projects and those of you who considered such.

All LHAS outings are open to the public and offer an inviting way to begin birding and meet others with similar interests.

For more information, contact Bill Huser at 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com.