Birding Big Day is on for the weekend of May 5-7, 2023!

Can you hear the birds calling? Birding Big Day is our annual bird-a-thon and fundraiser for the Earlham Fund, which supports students in a multitude of ways around campus.

Each year birders – of all experiences – find great joy in joining friends outdoors for a big weekend of bird spotting. The additional challenge is using this time to give back to Earlham and support new flocks of students migrating to the Heart!

As always, you can catch up on the excitement on the Earlham Birders Facebook group. You can also use the “Comments” section on the eBird app or website (a handy tool for all birders) by sharing your day-to-day adventures!

How to participate for birders of all experiences!

There are two key ways to participate on Birding Big Day. First, you can join the mission by spotting birds of your own, wherever you are – in a city, in the country, or across the world! Document your finds on eBird and choose to share them with “Earlham.” For more instructions on eBird, check out this detailed beginner’s guide. If you need another way to share your birds, reach out to Bill Buskirk.

It’s also important to give back for Birding Big Day! Whether you’re making a pledge to donate a certain amount of money per unique species found or giving a fixed amount, all donations help Earlhamites find and pursue their passions!

The story behind Birding Big Day

In 1982, two Earlham professors of Biology – Jim Cope and Bill Buskirk – created the first of many Birding Big Days. They nurtured the event throughout the years and watched it blossom into an annual tradition of day-long birding in the Whitewater Valley.

After Jim passed in March 2002, Bill opened the experience to even more birding enthusiasts in Earlham’s community. And every year since then, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends have formed birding teams with the challenge of spotting as many different species they can find in a day.

In 2008, Associate professor of Biology Wendy Tori joined Birding Big Day’s campus team, sharing her enthusiasm for ornithology with students and alumni. And in 2009, the event grew to be worldwide!