[NFBMI-Wayne-County] FW: Two Months to Go: Join Us for the 2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon

[donnabutterfly50 at gmail.com]

From: Cat Fribley <cat at birdability.org> 
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 3:59 PM
To: Birdability Info <info at birdability.org>
Cc: Martha Steele <marthajs at verizon.net>; Jerry Berrier <jerry.berrier at gmail.com>; Donna Posont <donnabutterfly50 at gmail.com>; Steve <steve.garrett at gmail.com>
Subject: Two Months to Go: Join Us for the 2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon

 

Dear Bird-a-Thon Participant,

Because you were part of last year’s Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon, you helped shape something new and powerful enough to grow and expand this year! And now, we are just two months away from the 2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon happening May 3 and 4, 2026, and registration is officially open.

This global celebration is designed with and for birders who are blind and have low vision. It centers birding by ear, community connections, and the understanding that birding is for every body and every mind.

Participants who are blind or have low vision can bird anywhere in the world during a 24 hour window on either May 3 or May 4. Birding can take place in a backyard, park, balcony, accessible trail, neighborhood sidewalk, or wherever listening to birds is possible. Count the species you detect by sound or sight and submit your list to the Bird-a-Thon Compiler so your birds can be part of the global total. There is no cost to participate. The focus is community, joy in birds, awareness, and access.

Full details and registration are available at:
https://www.birdability.org/blind-birdathon

How You Can Participate

Birders who are blind or have low vision, of any age or experience level, are welcome. 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, 2026 and bird for as much of those 24 hours as works for you, but no less than 2 hours. Spread your time throughout the day or focus it all at once. Bird anywhere that feels accessible and joyful. Use the tools that support you best, whether that is Merlin Bird ID, recording devices, binoculars, guidebooks, or simply listening.

After the event, submit your species list so your birds can be counted in the global total. Participants in the United States will be entered into a prize drawing thanks to generous supporters, and other countries may host local celebrations as well.

Registration is available at this link:  <https://forms.gle/wtcJSZaeep7mw9Y69> https://forms.gle/wtcJSZaeep7mw9Y69 

Join a Community Conversation

Leading up to the Bird-a-Thon, we are hosting Community Conversations designed to build skills, connection, and confidence in birding by ear. These sessions are open, informal, and created for blind and low vision birders as well as sighted allies.

March 10, 2026
Living on the Wind: How and Why Birds Migrate with Scott Weidensaul
Scott will explore how migratory birds travel extraordinary distances each year, navigating in ways that can feel like science fiction while undergoing remarkable physical changes as they move across thousands of miles.

April 14, 2026
Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Info Session
Created by and for blind and low vision birders, this session will walk through how the event works, offer practical tips for accessible birding by ear, and share resources to help you and your community participate.

In these conversations, you will learn birding by ear skills, explore technology for recording and identifying sounds, and connect with a growing global community.

You can register for the Community Conversations at this link: https://forms.gle/C5CSBMJFNuNehgaY8

Help Us Spread the Word

You can also support the Bird-a-Thon by sharing registration information with your networks, forwarding our emails, inviting a local organization to host an accessible outing, or encouraging someone new to participate. We have a Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Toolkit available on the website with guidance for blind-serving organizations, bird clubs, land managers, and community groups who want to partner and plan inclusive events.

We would be honored to have you join us again this year!

With gratitude and excitement,

Cat Fribley (Birdability), Jerry Berrier, Donna Posont, and Martha Steele

 


Birdability is a nonprofit working to make birding and the outdoors accessible and inclusive for everyone, especially those with disabilities and health concerns. Join us in creating a more welcoming birding community! Learn more or support our mission by donating at Birdability.org. 

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