Felix Neck needs birders and sponsors to participate in Mass Audubon’s 26th year of birding competition. Birders and donors raise money for Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and our programs by getting pledges per number of bird species seen or making a donation to the Felix Neck team.

Begun in 1983, the statewide bird-a-thon has grown to 24 teams and more than 630 staff and volunteers who help raise thousands of dollars to benefit Mass Audubon’s efforts to protect wildlife. The 24-hour competition starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15, and runs through 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. But you don’t have to participate the entire time — rotating shifts among teammates is encouraged. The 24-hour timetable allows flexibility in schedules and the chance to locate nocturnal birds.

Mass Audubon will award numerous prizes, including trophies to three teams in the following categories: most money raised, most species recorded, and largest percentage increase of money raised (from the previous year). Team members who raise a minimum of $75, or obtain 10 sponsor pledges, will receive a 2009 Mass Audubon Bird-a-thon T-shirt.