Announcing the 2026 Brooklyn Bird Club Birdathon

We’re happy to announce the 2026 Brooklyn Bird Club Birdathon, to be held in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) on Saturday, May 9.  https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

The annual Birdathon asks birders to form teams of up to 6 members and count bird species in Brooklyn in support of a cause that helps the birds we love. Everyone is welcome ─ hardcore birders, backyard feeder watchers, and beginners! Like a walkathon, participants collect pledges and donations from friends and family for finding and counting bird species on the day of the Birdathon. Instead of getting a pledge per mile walked, Birdathon participants ask for a pledge for each bird species seen by the team.

This year’s designated beneficiary is The American Bird Conservancy/Atlantic Coast Joint Venture: Saving the SaltMarsh Sparrow from Extinction. Funds raised from the 2026 Brooklyn Bird Birdathon will support the ACJV and their efforts to protect the Saltmarsh Sparrow, which some of you may not realize nests right here in Brooklyn! For full details, visit https://brooklynbirdclub.org/Birdathon%2026.pdf

Please register your team by sending team members, your day’s goal, and a team name to Bobbi Manian and Danielle Khalife at birdathon@brooklynbirdclub.org by Wednesday May 6th.


A note on pledges: You are free to make a lump sum donation at any time, but if you are pledging a $ amount per bird, please make your donation after your sponsored party has told you how many birds they saw. To donate, please visit: https://givebutter.com/brooklyn-bird-club-2026-spring-birdathon



The Bird Collective is generously offering a prize to the top teams again this year. A $50 gift card to each team member on the team that has the most species and a $50 gift card to each team member of the team that raises the most money (Note: applicable only to teams with up to 6 participants.)

Note: for those of you birding in Prospect Park, the Purslane Café at the Boathouse is offering 10% off all drinks to Birdathon participants all day long.