Eastern Screech-Owl Photo by Terry Sears

Beginning at midnight on Saturday, May 10, 2008, Team Sapsucker will crisscross the state of New Jersey in a carefully timed plan to find the most birds in 24 hours. As each minute ticks by, the momentum and motivation will build as each species they find raises more for conservation, thanks to the generosity of supporters like you. Our student team, The Redheads (named for the Cornell “Big Red”), will also boost our fundraising efforts by honing in on the competition in Cape May County.

I hope you’ll consider making a pledge this year to support our far-reaching conservation programs to help migratory birds across the western hemisphere.

Vesper Sparrow Photo by Kevin McGowan

After more than a dozen years on the team, I’ve decided to “yield my seat” and retire from the Sapsuckers this year. But I know I’ll still find myself on bird-time during our team’s 24-hour mad dash. With luck, they will have already tallied the Sora, the rails, and other denizens of the night by 12:30 A.M., (called “half past screech-owl” because that’s often the first bird we hear). Dawn (4:50 A.M.) will be Vesper Sparrow time for our competitive team, and dusk (8:10 P.M.) will be heralded by the ringing sounds of Whip-poor-will and Chuck-will’s-widow.

Then and now

Speaking of time, a lot has changed in 25 years. Our team’s first Big Day was a bit of lark, with no sponsor and no fundraising. Since then, Swarovski Optik has stepped up as our sponsor and friends of the Lab have pledged record-breaking totals for bird conservation. Powered by swarovksi, Team Sapsucker has won the World Series of Birding for the past two years in a row amid the fiercest competition in the event’s history.

Blue Grosbeak Photo by Jay McGowan

As for the birds—many species continue to face daunting challenges from suburban sprawl, habitat loss, and climate change. Grassland specialists such as Upland Sandpiper have all but vanished from New Jersey and much of their eastern range. There are success stories too, though. The grand Bald Eagle is off the Endangered Species List and now nearly a cinch to tick on a World Series run. The Lab is part of a multinational partnership working to prevent further habitat losses that have caused the drastic decline in Cerulean Warblers. Based on recommendations by the Lab and conservation partners, the federal government has committed to protecting migratory birds by upgrading national parks and funding incentives for preserving habitat on private land. We still have plenty more to do, however, and funds from Big Day pledges provide the lifeblood of the Lab’s conservation programs.

Can you say three-peat?

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Photo by Jay McGowan

In last year’s thrilling win, Team Sapsucker saw or heard 230 species (a team record, one short of the event record), and brought in about $185,000 in pledges. Through the Big Day we’ve raised more than $2.1 million for bird conservation since 1985.

For this year’s team, Brian Sullivan, eBird’s co-leader, returns for his fourth World Series, joined by two others from the eBird team – programmer and veteran scout Tim Lenz, and Marshall Iliff, who brings years of competitive birding experience. Also joining the Sapsuckers will be Andy Farnsworth, among the world’s experts on bird flight-calls and a longtime Big Day birder with several championships under his belt.

The grizzled veteran is Ken Rosenberg, head of Conservation Science at the Lab, returning for his 24th Big Day. He knows the other teams will be gunning for us to prevent our third victory in a row. But with the best birders in North America on our team, he’s determined to keep the Urner-Stone championship cup here at the Lab.

Redheads rule!

For the second year, the Lab will field a student team. The Redheads will compete in Cape May County. Last year’s team placed second in their division with 174 species, a great first outing.

Make it matter

Lesser Black-backed Gull Photo by Kevin McGowan

You may pledge any amount of money for each species identified by the teams on the Big Day. Funds will support conservation and education programs at the Lab. Our conservation efforts include developing a migration-monitoring system based on night flight calls. Our education programs provide training and research opportunities for students, interns, and professional scientists. Every cent goes toward conservation since long-time sponsor and partner, Swarovski Optik covers expenses for both teams.

For a pledge of 50 cents or more per species, you’ll receive a Team Sapsucker pin. Pledge $1 or more per species, and you can choose to receive a Team Sapsucker notebook—handy for keeping track of birds in the field of jotting down the weekly grocery list—or a Sapsucker baseball cap commemorating the 25th anniversary of Big Day participation.

To make a pledge, simply complete the enclosed pledge card or pledge online. Guess how many species will be identified by each team and what time the last species will be identified, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a pair of Swarovski binoculars. Please, take a moment to meet the new faces on this year’s teams, and check back on May 10 for updates and final results. You’re a vital part of the team too, and we greatly appreciate all you do to support the Lab!

Sincerely,

John Fitzpatrick
Louis Agassiz Fuertes Director
Sapsucker Emeritus