The Highly Official Rules of Birding allow you to count birds if you can identify their songs. And the White-eyed Vireo, which is the bird pictured above, has an awesome song. Loud and urgently, they call out “Quick with the beer, Chip!” 

They can be challenging to find in the Glen, for when they are not singing, they hide within dense tangled thickets where they search for caterpillars, stink bugs, beetles, and other insects to eat. They’ve come a long way to get here, from wintering grounds that span from the southern United States to Central America and Cuba. Their presence is a visible reminder of the wildlife we protect, when we protect Glen Helen. 

To celebrate the White-eyed Vireo, along with its avian kin, we will “Make it Count for the Birds” on Saturday, May 9th. Volunteers will have 24 hours to search Glen Helen for all the bird species we can find.  May 9th falls near the peak of spring migration, so with luck, we could find 80-100 species of birds – all within the 1,125 acres of Glen Helen.

This is where we hope that you will come into the picture. Our birding marathon is good fun in the pursuit of good science, but it is also an important fundraiser. All proceeds from our birding day go towards land stewardship and restoration projects within the Glen. Every bird that we find, and every cent that we raise, will help us protect the habitats of Glen Helen.

Will you consider sponsoring our effort by making a per-species pledge? In other words, if you pledge $1 per species, and we see 80 species, your total contribution would be $80.

Your support will allow us to maintain trails, protect vulnerable plants and wildlife, clear obstructions, and keep pressure on alien species like honeysuckle.  

To support our effort, please fill out the form on this page. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you would also like to participate in the count, check the appropriate box on the form, and a volunteer will contact you. We are grateful to you for making our work possible.