The Bird-a-Thon is on for 2026!
Details for this year
The Delaware Bird-a-Thon (BAT) is back this spring, so mark your calendars and get ready to do some birding for a great cause! In the 19 years since it began, the Bird-a-Thon has raised over $800,000 for conservation, helped preserve 2,768 acres of habitat and supports DOS's Conservation Science Grants program. Given this track record, we are thrilled to announce that this year's Bird-a-Thon will take place from May 2-10, 2026! Registration forms, the full list of rules, and tips and tricks for a successful Bird-a-Thon are available below if you scroll down.
2026 Bird-a-Thon Target Projects
For our 20th Anniversary year, the Delaware Bird-A-Thon will be targeting two different projects with long-term partners. A number of years ago, DOS expanded the mission of the Bird-A-Thon to include habitat restoration, as well as acquisition.
As we move into a third decade of Bird-A-Thon, we are hearing from partners that they need more restoration support on lands that our past successes have helped protect.
While we will always continue to work aggressively to support habitat purchases, ensuring vital habitat quality for coastal species can't stop with protecting land. We have to also make that land more suitable for the species that depend on it!
Bennett's Pier Shoreline Restoration
Building on the success of last year's Bird-A-Thon, we will be supporting our partner Delaware Wild Lands in a shoreline restoration at Bennett's Pier Beach.
This stretch of shoreline (approximately 800 feet) is located immediately north and south of the terminus of Bennett's Pier Road. The project will restore coastal habitat and resilience by raising the beach profile and creating a gentler-sloped dune system designed to reduce the impact of severe storm wave energy, while still allowing natural overwash, a crucial function for maintaining nesting bird habitat. The work will include dune plantings at higher elevations, shoreline stabilization, and the preservation of beach areas for several beach-nesting species, such as the Atlantic horseshoe crab, diamondback terrapin, and migratory shorebirds.
The targeted reach for this living shoreline work is necessary to:
- Reduce accelerated erosion relative to the current rollover processes occurring along the adjacent shoreline.
- Add sediment to coastal systems experiencing loss and longshore sediment flow interruptions caused by anthropogenic alterations to the north and south of the site.
- Maximize opportunities for horseshoe crab spawning and coastal bird nesting along the enhanced beach and protected shoreline.
Delaware Wild Lands has solicited funding for this project through the USFWS National Coastal Wetlands Grant. DOS funds will provide critical private match for the grant, leveraging our Bird-A-Thon dollars to help bring funding to beach restoration at this critical site.
Slaughter Beach Access Acquisition
The second project of this year's Bird-A-Thon is an acquisition at Slaughter Beach in partnership with DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. DNREC is in the process of acquiring properties that woud provide access to existing state lands on the south shore of Mispillion Harbor and the north end of Slaughter Beach.
While small in size, this project is critical to allow better access by the Delaware Shorebird Project team as well as potential future equipment access for restoration projects. Other funding for this project is being provided by DNREC's Open Space Program.
Building on Last Year's Bird-A-Thon
For last year's Bird-A-Thon, DOS partnered with Delaware Wildlands to support the acquisition of coastal property at Milford Neck. The parcel, located at Bennett’s Pier beach, includes 43.6 acres of tidal marsh and beach habitat, and 1,500 linear feet of shoreline. It was one of the last unprotected parcels of the Milford Neck coastline and its protection facilitates restoration of tidal hydrology in the surrounding marshes. The marshes there are some of the best in Delaware for high priority salt marsh specialists including Saltmarsh Sparrows and Black, Yellow, and Clapper Rails. Protecting the beach will benefit Horseshoe Crabs, Piping Plovers, Red Knots and other migratory shorebirds.
What is the Delaware Bird-a-Thon?
The Bird-a-Thon is a fundraiser focused on purchasing, restoring and conserving critical bayshore habitat in Delaware. From a modest start in 2007, we since have raised over $800,000 and protected more than 2,800 acres of habitat for shorebirds and other coastal species of concern. Many of these sites are used by long-distance migrants, including the famous Red Knot. A portion of the funds are also used to support the DOS Conservation Science Grants program.
How does the Bird-a-Thon work?
Participants in the Bird-a-Thon try to see how many birds they can find in a 24-hour period and how much money they can raise by signing up sponsors to support them. Sponsors can pledge either a set sum of money or an amount of money per bird species seen or heard. Sign up your sponsors and then go find birds in your backyard, wander through your neighborhood, explore a state park, or bird the entire state! Have fun birding while helping to purchase or restore crtical bird habitat!
How can I donate to the Bird-a-Thon?
If you aren't able to participate in the field but you want to support the effort, you or your business can donate directly to the Bird-a-Thon fund. All contributions are tax-deductible. You can either make a general donation or you can support a specific team you like or pledged to. If you want your contribution to go to a specific team, enter the team name where indicated on the online donation form.
Delaware Bird-a-Thon Sponsors:
2026 Lead Sponsor: Wild Birds Unlimited Hockessin
Thanks to WBU for their continued support of DOS conservation efforts!
I want to help raise money. How do I sign up a Bird-a-Thon team?
You can either bird by yourself or you can form a team with other birders. You should then register your team using the online form or by printing out the PDF form and mailing it in. Once you are registered, you need to find sponsors to pledge to your Bird-a-thon. You can download a PDF copy of the Bird-a-thon Rack to use in email solicitations from sponsors. Also see the tips at the bottom of this page.
Your sponsors can either use the online form (button above) to send in their donations (preferred) or they can mail a check directly to DOS (made out to Delaware Ornithological Society) or they can give the check to you. If you collect checks, please be sure to mail them to us using the pledge form below so we receive them by 15 June.
What are the rules for the Delaware Bird-a-Thon?
- Time period: May 2nd-10th, 2026
- Count must be conducted during a single 24-hour period.
- Birds may be identified either by sight or sound in Delaware, maritime boundaries included.
- For teams, 2 or more team members must identify the bird.
- Participants must adhere to the ABA Code of Birding Ethics.
- Record birds on the checklist provided below or use eBird and create an eBird trip report for the day (preferred)
- Wild birds only, no zoo birds or escapees are eligible.
- To be eligible for prizes, all checklists, pledge sheets, and funds must be received by June 15th.
- Mail completed checklist or link to eBird trip report, pledge form and any collected donations to: DOS, PO Box 4247, Greenville, DE 19807.
- We will calculate your total donations from all sources (online and checks) so you only have to track the donations you collect personally.
Categories
Statewide: The traditional Bird-a-Thon format. Birds are counted throughout the state using any method of transport.
Carbon-free: Lessen your impact on the planet by birding only by walking, biking, and other carbon emissions-free transport methods
County Challenge: Bird within one of Delaware's three amazing counties!
Yard Challenge: Bird from your yard or immediate neighborhood!
Patch Challenge: Bird at a single favorite location, such as a local park or wildlife area!
Photography Challenge: Only photographed birds are counted! Test your photography skills with this fun new category!
Tips for a Successful Bird-a-Thon
Part of the fun is getting sponsors. Here are some tips for fundraising!
