Bufflehead by Raymond Barlow

Dear Friend of the Birds,

Spring brings renewal and the welcome return of songbirds, filling the air with their joyful music. In that same spirit of renewal, we’re thrilled to introduce our new World Series of Birding teams and a new logo for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology! Like the Yellowbellied Sapsucker on the logo, we’re forward-focused—eager to take on the competition during the “Big Day” as well as the many challenges in the study and conservation of birds.
 

The 2009 World Series of Birding is Saturday, May 9. Our teams will strive to better last year’s second-place finishes in their divisions. Team Sapsucker, sponsored by Swarovski Optik, tallied 222 species in 2008, birding the entire state of New Jersey. The Redheads, our ace student birders, found 184 species in Cape May County. Together, they raised more than $200,000 for bird conservation and undergraduate research—a new record! Every cent was used for these programs because our generous sponsor and partner, Swarovski Optik, covers expenses for both teams.

According to a State of the Birds report issued this March by a partnership of government agencies and conservation organizations including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, bird populations in many habitats have declined during the past 40 years. At the same time, the report shows heartening evidence that birds
can respond quickly and positively to conservation action, such as the comeback of many waterfowl species because of wetlands protection.

Our team is ready to give it their all—they’re dedicated, untiring, and very
competitive. For 2009, eBird co-leader Chris Wood captains Team Sapsucker.
Jessie Barry, the newest team member, is an assistant audio curator in the Lab’s
Macaulay Library and a top birder. Other Sapsuckers returning for a romp in the
swamp are Andrew Farnsworth, Marshall Iliff, Tim Lenz, and Brian Sullivan. (Find out more about Team Sapsucker and The Redheads.)

Team Sapsucker

(L-R) Chris Wood, Brian Sullivan, Jessie Barry, Marshall Iliff, Andy Farnsworth, Tim Lenz

After 20 consecutive years on Team Sapsucker, conservation science director Ken Rosenberg is stepping down—but all that experience won’t go to waste as he coaches the young guns on the best routes to take to tick off northern New Jersey birds, his specialty.

To support the Big Day, you can pledge any amount for each species tallied by Team Sapsucker, or make a gift for either team. Fill out and return the form attached to this letter or donate securely online at www.BigDay09.org. Don’t miss
the opportunity to receive a thank-you gift—a bird-art notepad or binocular strap with the Lab’s new logo.

On the back of the pledge form, be sure to guess the correct number of species Team Sapsucker will tally and the time they record their final species. You’ll be
eligible to win a brand-new pair of Swarovski 8 x 30 binoculars.

A new logo, a new team, a new spirit of conservation, and a new way to reach out!

Sincerely,

John Fitzpatrick
Louis Agassiz Fuertes Director
Cornell Lab of Ornithology

You are an essential member of our team!

Scarlet Tanager by Floris Van Breugel

This spring in the spirit of renewal we would like you to help us do more for the
birds by reaching out to others! We’ve developed two new quick and effective ways you may choose to engage friends, family, and neighbors in helping the birds:

• Use our exciting new web tool to create your own Big Day bird conservation
  page. Go to www.BigDay09.org to make your gift, set a goal, send invitations
  to friends to participate, and track your fundraising progress—see who can
  raise the most for Big Day! The top five supporters who raise the most funds
  with the new site will win a signed copy of the acclaimed Birdscapes book with
  content and sounds from the Cornell Lab.

OR

• Use the forms provided with this letter to gather additional gifts, which
  will be added to your total. Paper copies work really well too for helping more
  people know about the Lab. Download additional pledge forms if you need them and return them with your pledge form.