Manomet Conservation Sciences’ 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.

Be on the lookout this fall for our next annual Bird-A-Thon at Manomet’s headquarters in Plymouth, MA for a day of family fun and conservation impact.

Special Activities from the 2025 Bird-A-Thon:

Wildlife Photography Workshop with Ken Grille 


This workshop, led by local wildlife photographer and birder Ken Grille of Ken Grille Photography, focused on capturing birds in flight while also covering techniques for photographing birds when they are perched or moving about. Ken  began with a review of basic photography concepts and settings, then showed how to apply them specifically to bird and wildlife photography. All proceeds from the workshop support the Manomet Banding Lab, providing the critical support that keeps our lab thriving!

Bird-A-Thon Sunrise Bird Walk 

A guided walk led by Lisa Schibley, Manomet’s North American Coordinator for the International Shorebird Survey, during the peak of fall migration.

Banding Together Community Raffle

From a Boston Harbor Boat Brunch Cruise to family museum memberships, local gift cards, and unforgettable experiences, there was 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! 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 provided a special on-site plant sale featuring beautiful, bird-friendly native plants.

Eco-Friendly Crafting

Guests decorated bandanas and reusable cotton tote bags to support Manomet’s Banding Lab.

Bird Feeder Workshop

Guests built and decorated their 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

Our expert guides led an expedition to explore the trails 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:

  1. Download the eBird app and create an account.
  2. Start a checklist when you begin birding and record the birds you see or hear.
  3. 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.

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Resources

  • BIRD IDENTIFICATION
  • 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!

 

Trevor Lloyd-Evans Banding Lab

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