Welcome to Manomet Conservation Sciences’ 47th Annual Bird-A-Thon!
Bird-A-Thon is more than a 24-hour celebration of birds—it’s a lifeline for vital research and conservation. Each year, this event raises the essential funds that keep Manomet’s Banding Lab thriving. For more than five decades, our Banding Lab has been at the heart of understanding bird migration, tracking population changes, and guiding conservation decisions that protect birds across the hemisphere.
By joining Bird-A-Thon, you’re not only celebrating the beauty and wonder of birds—you’re helping ensure that this critical work continues for generations to come.
Join us at Manomet’s headquarters in Plymouth, MA on Saturday, September 27th from 7AM–12PM for a day of family fun and conservation impact.
> > Register here for Bird-A-Thon 2025 > >
Special Activities:
Wildlife Photography Workshop with Ken Grille – Register for the Workshop
This workshop, led by local wildlife photographer and birder Ken Grille of Ken Grille Photography, will focus on capturing birds in flight while also covering techniques for photographing birds when they are perched or moving about. Ken will begin with a review of basic photography concepts and settings, then show how to apply them specifically to bird and wildlife photography. He’ll share some of his favorite images, discuss the settings used to capture them, and offer guidance on the best lenses and equipment for the field. Following the classroom session, participants will head out on a short bird walk—either to the bluff, the blind, or both if time allows—where concepts can be put into practice with real-time tips and feedback. Photographers of all experience levels are welcome. Registration is required. $15 Donation to attend. All proceeds from this workshop go directly to Manomet’s Banding Lab, providing the critical support that keeps our lab thriving!
Bird-A-Thon Sunrise Bird Walk – Register for the Walk
Start your day with a special sunrise bird walk as we kick off Bird-A-Thon 2025! This guided walk will be led by Lisa Schibley, Manomet’s North American Coordinator for the International Shorebird Survey, during the peak of fall migration. Explore Manomet’s beautiful property all while birding along the way! Registration is required.
Banding Together Community Raffle – Register for Bird-a-Thon 2025
Join us at Bird-A-Thon on September 27th for our exciting Community Raffle supporting Manomet’s Banding Lab! Every ticket helps fuel critical bird conservation work, and every entry is a chance to win incredible prizes. From a Boston Harbor Boat Brunch Cruise to family museum memberships, local gift cards, and unforgettable experiences, there’s something for everyone. Prizes generously donated by community partners include (but aren’t limited to): Buttonwood Park Zoo, Plimoth Patuxet, Rose & Vicki’s, Lodelicious, Nova Trampoline Park, Starland Sports, Wild Birds Unlimited, Old Sturbridge Village, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, Boston Harbor City Cruises…and many more! Raffle tickets will be available by donation at Bird-A-Thon 2025. A huge thank you to our amazing local businesses for making this possible!
Native (and bird-friendly) Plant Sale with Blue Stem Natives
Blue Stem Natives is bringing a special on-site plant sale featuring beautiful, bird-friendly native plants. It’s the perfect chance to grow your garden, support local wildlife, and take home plants that birds and pollinators will love!
Eco-Friendly Crafting
Get creative while going green! Decorate your own bandana and reusable cotton tote bag, and support Manomet’s Banding Lab with every design you make.
Bird Feeder Workshop
Build and decorate your own bird feeder while learning tips to attract and care for local songbirds. A fun, family-friendly way to bring wildlife into your backyard!
Guided Family Nature Walk
Explore the trails with our expert guides and discover the birds, plants, and wildlife that call our property home. A fun and educational adventure for all ages!
Also, Meet the Banders and Behind-the-scenes banding lab tours, the “Big Sit” overlooking Cape Cod Bay, Photography Contest, and more!
Can’t make it to Plymouth? You can still take part!
Bird anywhere—your backyard, a local park, or a favorite trail—and submit your sightings to Manomet’s eBird list. Every bird you count contributes to long-term research, fuels community science, and strengthens our ability to safeguard birds and the habitats they depend on.
Resources for Participating
Bird Identification: Need help figuring out what bird you’re seeing or hearing? The free Merlin Bird ID app can identify birds from a photo or sound recording.
Reporting Your Observations:
- Download the eBird app and create an account.
- Start a checklist when you begin birding and record the birds you see or hear.
- When you finish, click “Share checklist with” and type Manomet BAT. Then hit submit.
That’s it! You’ve added your sightings to an important scientific database and joined a global community of people helping birds.
Whether you stay for an hour or spend the whole morning with us, your participation helps protect migratory birds and sustains the research that guides Manomet Conservation Sciences’ conservation efforts!
How You Can Get Involved in Bird-A-Thon
Share on Social Media
- Whether you’re joining Manomet for a bird walk or birding in your backyard—we want to see it! Share photos on Instagram and Facebook and tag @ManometConservationSciences.
- Did you get a photo of a super cool bird you saw? Tag @ManometConservationSciences so everyone else can see it too!
- Encourage your friends and family to participate in Bird-a-Thon by sharing Manomet’s posts leading up to the event!
Donate
- We rely on passionate environmentalists like you to continue our research and education. Consider a gift to Manomet during Bird-a-Thon to support the Trevor Lloyd-Evans Banding Lab and help us continue to find answers to complex environmental challenges and create a more sustainable future—one where future generations can enjoy nature and all it has to offer.
Donate
Resources
- BIRD IDENTIFICATION
- The Merlin Bird ID app can help you identify a bird using a photo or audio clip.
- REPORTING YOUR OBSERVATIONS
- If you’re joining a Manomet birding event, the leader will compile everyone’s observations and report for the group. If you’re birding on your own or with friends, read below on how to report your observations:
- In order to contribute to Manomet’s goal of observing 660 bird species, you must submit an eBird list—essentially a list of birds you observed in one location.
- First, download the eBird app and create an account.
- Read about how to submit your sightings on eBird.
- Once you begin birding, you’ll start a checklist and record your observations.
- When you’re done, share your checklist with Manomet by clicking “Share checklist with” and type “Manomet BAT”. Then, click submit in the lower right corner!
- Congrats—you’ve just contributed to an important data set and participated in Community Science!
- In order to contribute to Manomet’s goal of observing 660 bird species, you must submit an eBird list—essentially a list of birds you observed in one location.
- If you’re unable to submit your list via eBird, send a typed list of bird species to jbarrett@manomet.org.
- If you’re joining a Manomet birding event, the leader will compile everyone’s observations and report for the group. If you’re birding on your own or with friends, read below on how to report your observations: