We’re hijacking the owl blog this week in the hopes of raising some funds for the WPBO Birdathon. Every spring since 2007, the field staff have dedicated a day in late May to try to document as many species as possible to raise money for the research we all believe in. It is stressful; I have personally lost sleep over it in the past. It has also been amazingly rewarding. Nova and I started this in 2007 to try to help raise money for the summer owl banding. It had modest success in the first year, but fairly quickly became WPBO’s most successful annual fundraiser. The money raised now goes towards funding all of WPBO’s field research. It’s hard to properly express how much it means to the field staff to see the public so generously support their only direct fundraising effort.
An old logo for the WPBO staff birdathon team, “The Northern Saw-whats?”
We understand that the current situation has caused a lot of financial stress for many people, businesses, and organizations. Many of you who have contributed in the past, may not be able to do so this year. This spring has been pretty surreal for us up here too. The majority of the times that I have walked up to the Point early in the morning, the only vehicle in the parking lot has been Alison’s. The Owl’s Roost has been closed, Spring Fling was canceled, and visitors we have gotten to know, including those we have seen annually for 20 years, have not been able to visit. As strange as it has been, the entire field staff appreciates that Michigan Audubon was out in front of this situation, giving our safety full consideration despite the negative financial impact it presented. The lost opportunity to get on-site pledges — Spring Fling attendees have always been generous — pretty much has us relying solely on you folks who follow us on social media this year. We know this is something organizations regularly say during fundraising campaigns, but it is particularly true this spring, “Every dollar counts.” You can donate through the following link. Thank you so much.
I started writing this blog just after we finished opening for the night’s banding. After writing a few sentences, I popped outside to look for migrants during last light. Looking to the northwest, the lighthouse and other buildings were silhouetted as Venus shone bright, low in the sky. A Long-eared Owl swept in low and started making some erratic maneuvers. I got the owl in my binoculars and noticed the silhouette of a songbird that the long-eared was trying to take in mid-air. After a couple of failed attempts by the owl, they both disappeared behind one of the buildings, not to be seen again. I thought, as I often do, “God, I love this place,” and headed back in to write some more.
One final note. In addition to doing the waterbird count, Alison has been taking the lead on organizing the Birdathon up here. As fellow field staff, we just wanted to express our appreciation for her extra effort.
Chris Neri & Nova Mackentley
WPBO Spring Owl Banders
