Oh The Birds We'll See!
By Lori Danielson
In addition to the Birdathon events in May that anyone can participate in, Eastside Audubon also has two teams dedicated to raising money by seeing as many birds as possible and having fun while they’re doing it!
The Karismatic Kestrels, led by captain Andy McCormick, with team members Carol Carlson-Ray, Maureen Sunn, Nancy Hubly, Margaret Snell, and Jeremy Lucas are dynamic birders who have won Most Money Raised and Most Bird Species categories in the past. They are literally driven to succeed in 2022 because they will be driving a new route through Whidbey Island and the Skagit Valley to find as many bird species as they can. The team began in 2009 as the Mountains to the Lake Team and in 2014 they took on the mascot of the American Kestrel and changed their name to the Karismatic Kestrels. This will be their 14th Birdathon raising funds for Eastside Audubon. They have been flying high ever since. The Kestrels have the determination and speed of their namesake falcon and love finding birds for the Eastside Audubon Birdathon. You can support their efforts by pledging an amount of money per bird species they find or make a donation in any amount. They are working to protect this small falcon and all the other wonderful birds we all love. All sponsors of the Karismatic Kestrels who provide an email address will receive a list of the birds they find on their Big Day, May 10, 2022.
The second team is a relative newcomer, Team Pelican Dive Bar, with captain Jeremy Lucas and team member Andy McCormick. Pelican Dive Bar is a small group of birders dedicated to raising awareness for bird conservation. This team focuses on sea and shore birds, and the healthy habitat these amazing avian species rely upon. They do so with a smile and a great sense of humor. Their Big Day event will actually be a “Big weekend”. On Day 1, they will explore the coast along Grays Harbor County, looking for shore birds scavenging for whatever bounty the ocean brings. On Day 2, they will set sail on a day cruise and head out to the open Pacific, looking for a variety of pelagic sea birds.
Please support our teams by donating to Eastside Audubon. Your contribution helps our organization protect birds and their habitat. You can support these teams by pledging money towards their effort at the Eastside Audubon Birdathon page here.