The 8th Annual Kiptopeke Challenge team birding competition, sponsored by
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory, will be held on September 21, 2002.
Several new teams have indicated their interest this year, which will be a
great addition. The more teams, the better!
I can send information to anyone who requests it, but briefly, the whole
coastal plain of Virginia is the location for teams of 3-6 to find birds in a
24-hour period. There is also a 6-hour category on the same day. Teams are
encouraged to find sponsors for pledges of support, either as a flat donation
or on a per-species-found basis. Donors may also make a donation to the event
without sponsoring a team and they will be recognized, too. The rules are
basically like those established by the American Birding Association for "Big
Days."
As always, awards are made to the winners for the most species found and most
money raised, at the opening night session of the Eastern Shore Birding
Festival on October 4th. All teams are recognized that night in some way and
additional prizes for participation are also awarded The three main trophies
are two bronze, life-sized bird statues, from Turner Sculpture Galleries, and
for the 6-hour category, a wooden sculpture of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
This year's event is dedicated to the "Kiptopeke Founders," the volunteers
who began the fall songbird banding station in 1963. This is the 40th
anniversary of their vision.
This is an important event for the Observatory (www.cvwo.org), as it tries to
establish funds to insure that the work of the "Founders" can continue for
many decades to come. Grant-funding may be able to provide some help, but the
Observatory is not backed by any foundation or college or government
organization, so private and business-related contributions, as well as
memberships, are most welcome.
We are also looking for people who would be willing to lead 2 teams of Boy
Scouts, who will compete in the 6-hour category. If you are interested,
please let me know.
During last year's Kiptopeke Challenge, a Mongolian Plover was found at
Chincoteague, a species not previously recorded in Virginia. Who knows what
rarity awaits this year!
Some changes for this year are:
all donations of $20 or more will automatically make the donor an
Observatory member for 2003
all donors of $100 or more will receive an OPTECH USA binocular strap,
with "Coastal Virgina Wildlife Observatory" printed on it
"Challenge Sponsors" are also being sought, either businesses or
individuals, who will pledge to make a matching contribution in some way
or up to some limit or perhaps as a per-species pledge for the total
number of species found by all teams together; this serves as extra
incentive for teams and their sponsors, who see their donations being
increased; prospective "Challenge Sponsors" may contact me
all teams are eligible for a free place to stay on the night of the event
there will be a lighted finish line at Kiptopeke State Park, with
refreshments and applause and prizes, for those teams that finish the day
by midnight on the Eastern Shore (which all teams so far have done, but
since the whole coastal plain is eligible, it is not required)
I will regularly provide other information to the List Serve about the event.
If you have questions, please let me know directly by e-mail or send to me at
103 Exeter Court, Williamsburg, VA 23185. I hope to hear from prospective
teams, donors and others with ideas about improving the event.
Thanks for your support!
Brian Taber
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