We did it!

The Eagle Optics Badger Irruption tallied a total of 54 species during the two-day event, setting a new event record (previous record was 53 species) and raising the most money for Sax-Zim Bog. 

Here we are (L to R: Tom Prestby, Max Henschell, Eric Wood, Jessica Gorzo and David La Puma; Photo by Sparky Stensaas) with Gary the Great Gray Owl trophy, the new non-travelling trophy which will be adorned with the names of winning teams for years to come. We hope to have our names on this great piece of art many times!

Thank you for all of your support in raising money for this important site, and thanks to Eagle Optics for making it possible for us to attend this event.

Be sure to check out the WRAP-UP BLOG POST:

http://www.saxzim.org/bog-blog/

For those of you who pledged expect an email from Sparky Stensaas regarding pledges, but if you're in a hurry, your checks can be made out to "Friends of Sax-Zim Bog" and mailed to PO Box 3585, Duluth, MN 55803

Have you ever been to the bog?

Birders in the Upper Midwest have known about Sax-Zim Bog for a long time as one of the best boreal birding destinations within a short drive from Duluth, MN. Many birders around the country and world, some of us included, know about it since the big owl irruption in 2005 when Great Grays and Northern Hawk Owls were swarming the place. The bog is also an important breeding site for many sought-after birds such as the Connecticut Warbler and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and hosts many charismatic species in both summer and winter. This year Eagle Optics has sponsored our team so that we can spend enough time to scout the field and plan a winning route in an attempt to take the coveted trophy back across state lines with us. To that end, we have named our 2013 Brrrrdathon team the EAGLE OPTICS BADGER IRRUPTION. That’s right, we’re bringing Wisconsin to Minnesota and we mean business.

But this event is much bigger than who logs the most birds. What we hope to leave behind is a substantial financial contribution to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog who are making real efforts to conserve more land, build a visitor’s center, and institutionalize outreach programs to educate citizens about the importance of this wonderful wild place. So will you join us in helping to reach our fundraising goal?

Last year some of the best birders in the region tallied 53 species for the win. This year we’re hoping the currently mild conditions will hold enough to keep some open water available, therefore increasing our probability of finding waterfowl. We have set our goal at 45, but we're gunning for 55, and we’ll do our darndest to get there!

So if you would like to contribute you can either pledge a lump sum, or pledge by the number of species. Got a particular species you’re really fond of? Then please consider a challenge pledge for that species! (of course, please pick something we actually have a chance of seeing on game-day). You don't need deep pockets to help out, pledging 10-25-or-50-cents per bird is an awesome contribution and will help us reach our initial goal in no-time!

We will be reporting from the field starting January 6^th (at http://www.eagleopticsblog.com/ ) so make your pledge early and be a part of the Eagle Optics Badger Irruption!

Sincerely, 

The Eagle Optics Badger Irruption

AKA:  David La Puma, Jessica Gorzo, Max Henschell, Tom Prestby and Eric Wood

Latest Comments

1. Get some!
   by Adrian 5 months ago
2. Go find some birds! And have fun!
   by Jennifer 5 months ago
3. Good luck team! Find a Boreal Owl.
   by Mark 5 months ago
4. RARGHLARGHALARHGHG!!!! (IB Battle Cry)
   by Jesse 5 months ago
5. Good Luck, David La Puma!!!
   by Louise 5 months ago
6. Wisconsin
   by Kim 5 months ago
7. Have a fabulous Birdathon!!
   by Christine 6 months ago