[NFBMI-Wayne-County] FW: Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon

Wed Feb 18 21:17:34 UTC 2026

From: Birdability <cat at birdability.ccsend.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2:15 PM
To: donnabutterfly50 at gmail.com
Subject: Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon

Help Us Spread The Word

  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=c1b7c792-aa65-42fe-a023-4bffe48c30dc&a=1139691927250&c=e9c34b52-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d&ch=e9c51036-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/5bdaf757-16e1-4b23-9931-58dd2c48ad7a.png?rdr=true> 

Image description: A teal blue promotional graphic with white text that reads:

“2nd Annual Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Registration and Resources Available Now!”

Decorative starburst shapes in shades of blue, teal, gray, and black are scattered across the background. The Birdability logo appears at the top left. On the right side is a circular photo of a group of adults walking together on a paved park path bordered by bright green grass and trees. Several participants are using long white canes. Some wear hats and backpacks, and they are dressed casually for a day outside birding.

2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon

May 3 and 4, 2026

Help us spread the word about the 2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon, a 24-hour birding celebration designed with and for birders who are blind and have low vision.

This global event centers birding by ear, community connections, and the understanding that birding is for every body and every mind.

What is the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon?

Participants who are blind or have low vision can bird anywhere in the world during a 24-hour window on May 3 or 4, 2026. Birding can take place in a backyard, park, balcony, accessible trail, or wherever listening to birds is possible.

Participants count the species they detect by sound or sight and report them to the Bird-a-Thon Compiler. There is no cost to participate. The focus is community, awareness, and access.

Full details and registration are available at  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQzckslDaoaDYn146SLCaxVVkW8abdi_LIw9whd6jjq0oRT6bvpnZIn6Rl_88tpd8XHyI4RmnZD9rb3CIYtUepeTnpUGIEVf3SMteBbRi_X3kcxreqwG0GaHzBf-s9XFR_g==&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> https://www.birdability.org/blind-birdathon 

How Individuals Can Participate

*    Birders who are blind or have low vision, and of any age and experience level, are invited to join. You can participate as an individual or as part of a team. You may bird alone, with friends, or with sighted volunteers.

*    Choose May 3 or May 4 and bird for as much of that 24-hour period as works for you. You can spread your birding time throughout the day or focus it all at once.

*    Bird anywhere that feels accessible and joyful. This might be your backyard, a favorite local park, an accessible trail, a balcony, a pond nearby, or a neighborhood sidewalk.

*    Count every species you detect by sound or sight during your 24-hour window. Use the tools that support you best, such as  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ-7FtH7Rl16bExnGx732n-blgb0tXapvZntuW4YB9LrWCRl_QVW8DROyxd_H7VLX0TR9iOmacNhqPqjmMbB3eEeTYD9Q4GZIRPZRtQTutbVBNegH87OQzPcgCNBZjzLziBJnTD9PAzncP-SBItQo4c136iu7LPtqhrFl1zM2b9ViOptp-5-TsRavi9mgGUTNbsNbdwXrf7i0OhMdVbJgHwxIKmAC532mIXyLoXNJBeps&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> Merlin Bird ID, recording devices, binoculars, guidebooks, or simply listening. 

*     <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ-7FtH7Rl16bTQBJfgFbCA_q53eYdELZx9FL-to3s5G6xUzKy4BJrEl4cq5qrcJJp2HcypYbaLRLG92uc3tH8J-R5iy9T1pD3pQY5I2u0IJaifrsZMgWhfz0YPLYoDuHzT7H3O4WYiXaOpxy-O24m-ZwaYhX9OCIDeHNDpmvRWA4uhuqW6VjI5INBBz9tMaOnCYM4Jj29p0CZrmuCtP83DWJerV6BdTlmm--HaumaBcG&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> Register in advance so we know you are participating. After the event, submit your species list to the Bird-a-Thon Compiler so your birds can be included in the global total. 

*    Participants in the United States will be entered into a prize drawing with items donated by generous supporters. Other countries may also host local celebrations and ways to share results.

You are welcome, whether you are brand new to birding or have years of experience!

How Organizations Can Participate

There are many ways your organization can be involved:

1.Spread the Word

*    Share  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ-7FtH7Rl16b8-O6xqpTWdfyKTmgjnB9oCctsnTdRukM1ZQLT5NqfHndqPFAvSqLbUUCSRy1Ia6RytuTBqDzkqcKLFoKKEmx9I9JmZ8NF3nHRZY8OKKzmLyE--VYv19KnHlHFC8d5i0R5t1klwoVGZTHlX1phruKsLQWWN9R2v7mo0MEvlhfLYR3mVL-G5XGUEhNZvOYPeXFnps7oAj2Vbw=&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> registration information with your members, staff, and community. 

*    Include the event in your newsletter.

*    Post about it on social media.

*    Forward our promotional graphics and language to your networks - including this email!

2.Host an Event

*    Organize a local bird outing designed with accessibility in mind.

*    Partner with a bird club or blind serving organization to co-host an event.

*    Host a listening-focused gathering at a park, nature center, school, or community space.

*    Offer transportation support or volunteer sighted guides if requested.

We have created a  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ-7FtH7Rl16bLjHKaLDqRbe6iCcujCLd5--DFSLZdV82KxXsWNdOhSHKJ2LTYwf0VoZhZvqcbMRoiErit_-1FhL2le6C1TM1tXl_mZUGGruG-Exnr8NRMlNeBY9KHh1MYjylbx8yfMb8Qo5Or7y-4kiFyqoiwFfInEtPEv1IMGcZkO3Ex3Ym1Epj6qhk121sFQ==&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Toolkit with guidance for:

• Blind serving organizations

• Bird clubs and nature centers

• Land managers and community groups

The toolkit outlines practical steps for partnership, planning, and accessible event design.

3.Engage Digitally

*    Share bird sound resources along with Bird-a-Thon info.

*    Encourage members to bird from home and report their species.

*    Amplify  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ-7FtH7Rl16bPun96oJ0MGI5QXbAaSvhGCesve5z662SknZhaZ7jjKnzMgahMF_eOxtAkUpAQ6_5NU-BDYHRxVmE8zIjpPTjwsDJh7AxWhCr0pSVOj1PkE67_rK3NmgpZRz3pqonCe8lLVRugf5oamoB1piJvMmCI9aqtRYgY4U5&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> Blind Birder Community Conversations recordings leading up to the event or share info on using  <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ-7FtH7Rl16bExnGx732n-blgb0tXapvZntuW4YB9LrWCRl_QVW8DROyxd_H7VLX0TR9iOmacNhqPqjmMbB3eEeTYD9Q4GZIRPZRtQTutbVBNegH87OQzPcgCNBZjzLziBJnTD9PAzncP-SBItQo4c136iu7LPtqhrFl1zM2b9ViOptp-5-TsRavi9mgGUTNbsNbdwXrf7i0OhMdVbJgHwzBNDua2W6s7tm-UISmkfkI&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> Merlin or <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ-7FtH7Rl16bvX_wqkRuttvJUyaBxTcWDPjqpjV9YhtjC5CKBahczm38-zrbra7pxr6Z-hL1lfj-NfSMk8WdZVU7Qn79BDH3iodnaXszz_fOjObb4ljuYpPe0qRp_ZwJIw==&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==>  eBird.  

Why Participate?

The Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon increases awareness of accessibility in nature and uplifts birders who are blind and low vision. It expands understanding of birding beyond visual observation and builds connection across disability and birding communities. 

Register and Learn More

Registration, toolkit access, Community Conversation dates, and event details can be found at:

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQzckslDaoaDYn146SLCaxVVkW8abdi_LIw9whd6jjq0oRT6bvpnZIn6Rl_88tpd8XHyI4RmnZD9rb3CIYtUepeTnpUGIEVf3SMteBbRi_X3kEqZLLyHnE5-5ITdWbFrUKWW44ZR1rgO9IzoDfbIHatkWvGcFGHCDGw==&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> https://www.birdability.org/blind-birdathon

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2d6beea5901/885003f7-51a0-4776-a9ee-8edecec2e8fa.png?rdr=true> 

Image Description: A blue graphic featuring white text that reads:

“Living on the Wind: How and Why Birds Migrate” with Scott Weidensaul.

March 10, 2026 7:00 P.M. ET All are Welcome

In the bottom portion, it says: A FREE Program in the Blind Birder Bird a Thon Community Conversations Series. On the right side is a circular photo of Scott Weidensaul outdoors holding a hawk with its wings fully extended. He is wearing a cap and field clothes, and binoculars hang from his neck. The hawk’s wingspan stretches wide across the frame. Decorative starburst shapes in shades of blue and white are scattered across the background. The Birdability logo appears at the top left.

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQwUCUFKJipUrVDgJeErgDKprCra_sItFkcnLym3JakOQ2LD7IMIyrOecOPEkbAaEXxFxErYPmoobXjPNms4S62-010ZpM_L5v86y07xrZK-7dA2_hohBm4BUuUzsgCCGnorll3nuphix5hkUSz33ElfzQWtpc7v0u95o1jsA6zBzile46K9ZS7U5mdE7bAThBioFlzk90J5f24J14_aisu8=&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> Register HERE 

Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Community Conversations: Register and Join Us!

How do birds travel thousands of miles across continents and oceans? And how do they know where to go? 

Join us on March 10 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time for “Living on the Wind: How and Why Birds Migrate” with Scott Weidensaul.

This special event is part of our Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Community Conversations Series and is free and open to all.

Migration is one of the great wonders of the natural world. For many of us, especially those who bird by ear, migration is something we experience as sound. 

Come learn about the science, the mystery, and the beauty of migration as we continue preparing for this year's Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon.

All are welcome. We hope you will join us.

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ0pBT1lyPVtOL4QOSPQgtTLdNw127G6hNHcUy6yEknWKxyWjGgpqjpuA6XBjOCwgIXNtERZVxMPjOuAWzszCX1UAM4pcE4a2V1BlQvlw4ayZbhNbd_tElMY=&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> Donate Here 

If the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon moves you or if the idea of birding by ear across the globe matters to you, and if you believe that birding is for every body and every mind, please consider supporting this work. Your gift in any amount helps us create accessible resources, build community, and ensure that blind and low vision birders are centered and celebrated!

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ_K5Nu-YJSDLzcngf2T7mI2RaEuBydebA0K7SQSj6iHEZErGfpDuMd6Iq22MzU4oAMV6AYc0mGEHRqvYuoSSYXyfXeHRcczp2CgG-0tjOVdG&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==> 

Image Description: The Birdability logo, which has an illustration of a White-Breasted Nuthatch in the middle of a circle of text reading, "Birding is for *every* body" on top and "Birdability" below in white letters.

 <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ--OGcTRNWo2sh_O_6oCa5VZ-Ui-JBVFzZkV65IQLGgd6HBziIpUubNnk5GZ5G1H5dlyPhj5EzVEHi7-8L0By7QYMgrXJJPGhhn-CV3H5siPqYVZ_QqjBHI=&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==>   <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ0pBT1lyPVtOD7h01gwQQfiYYUO-y0Ib5aUxERLLPA8_O71ikVpnaMfiEuWag84WV4y84zZtcVOhFrKLzKKN0vkYeUyHT7w9vf8XaHlMhUgMwtZv4qzCKro=&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==>    <https://swn6onfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jWc-hVBAJ6yOaA5gssEwrR28zDCobyVgARXejIByTBv1XiAjn9pfQ0pBT1lyPVtOwCEb-vR146w9aQRH9tcmduhDFEwn3XirrQRCnD402t3nm3vcTV8tHMcYlKdJTLQC_m4LltA0Iwb-eqvfBxLwdlbr_mFIXPd46TOwAYvD2ek=&c=IJ7bt5hxW4FooyK-lrijE61eEv68KjeRR_Mg1ovjfPv9gw6t-YeK8g==&ch=udV9GcuxhaG4h6EhC0bjBpJEiZ05elG4sUrLNI37sloKQTMrEwq4kg==>  

  <https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif> 

Birdability | 539 West Commerce Street #2425 | Dallas, TX 75208 US

Unsubscribe <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001dt85rp1Q9F0bhxGyu068PQ==&ch=e9c51036-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d&ca=c1b7c792-aa65-42fe-a023-4bffe48c30dc>  | Update Profile <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?ch=e9c51036-039c-11f0-990b-fa163ee3768d&t=001fCVCqpnRPz28eCFEj5C4hQ==&lang=001FCSs65SMrsI=&m=001dt85rp1Q9F0bhxGyu068PQ==&p=oo&ca=c1b7c792-aa65-42fe-a023-4bffe48c30dc>  | Constant Contact Data Notice <https://www.constantcontact.com/legal/customer-contact-data-notice>  

 <https://www.constantcontact.com/landing1/vr/home?cc=nge&utm_campaign=nge&rmc=VF21_CPE&utm_medium=VF21_CPE&utm_source=viral&pn=techsoupnonprofit&nav=c1b7c792-aa65-42fe-a023-4bffe48c30dc> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbmi-wayne-county_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260218/9cfa876f/attachment-0001.htm>