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Payne County Audubon Society is dedicated to many projects, some changing with the year or
season and some -- such as the Christmas Bird Count -- remaining the same year after year. Read
about the Chapter's different projects by clicking on the links below:
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Each year, PCAS sponsors this annual fall event, which gathers dozens of resource experts so that they can
present interactive displays and activities to Payne County families. It is an event that the public can attend, free
of charge, to learn about and experience many natural phenomena in a relaxed, enjoyable, and beautiful setting.
Again, the objective of this event is to help instill a sense of stewardship toward the earth.
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PCAS sponsors a very popular summer Nature Camp in June each year. This day camp runs for 5 consecutive
mornings for children going into first through sixth grades. The enrollment limit is 40 children, but interest in the
camp has been so popular that in 2008, PCAS will run an expanded camp, allowing 50 campers to participate from
June 2 to June 6.
Most years, PCAS awards scholarships to deserving individuals. These scholarships are made possible through a
grant from the Ligon family's Delta Foundation and the generous donations and support of PCAS members and
caring local citizens. If you would like to sponsor a child or make a monetary or in-kind donation, please click here
for details.
Each morning at Nature Camp focuses on a different theme (e.g., Monday might be Animal Day; Tuesday, Plant
Day; Wednesday, Water Day; Thursday, Eco-Activity Day; with Friday as Friendly Finale). On the last day, the
families of each camper are invited to a picnic where all can see some of the activities and crafts that the campers
have been involved with during the week.
The camp has six senior counselors, all of whom have strong backgrounds in environmental science and/or
environmental education. Six junior counselors (campers who are too old for camp, yet want to continue their
camp experience and are wonderful with younger children) also contribute significantly during the week.
This week is loads of fun! Please contact Crystal Cork, Our Nature Programs Director, for more information about
these great activities.
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The Payne County Audubon Society partners with the Teal Ridge Wetland Project, the MultiArts Garden Project ,
and the Oklahoma Adopt a Highway Program.
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In an effort to conserve areas in Oklahoma that are vital to bird populations, PCAS is working with National
Audubon and other Oklahoma Audubon Chapters to establish Important Bird Areas in Oklahoma. Go to Important
Bird Areas for more information.
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The Payne County Audubon Society maintains a Bluebird Trail, a series of bluebird nesting boxes along Highway
51 west of Stillwater. Each March, volunteers begin by cleaning out, repairing/replacing, or relocating any boxes
that need it. Monitoring begins April 1st and ends when there are no more bluebirds to be fledged—usually Aug.
1st. If you would like to help with this project, get in touch with Olen Thomas.
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Each year PCAS awards 2 research scholarships, in the range of $200 - 300, to support students doing field
research on native plants and animals. Special consideration is given to projects concerning the behavior,
conservation, or natural history of birds. Students at both the secondary school and collegiate level are eligible.
The deadline for applications is usually January 31. Contact Jim Ownby for additional information.
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GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
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The GBBC, a joint project of National Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, takes place in February each
year. In 2007, for the third time in the past four years, Stillwater led the state in participation for the Great
Backyard Bird Count, submitting more checklists than any other locality. What's more amazing, however, is that
we shattered the previous record of 76 checklists (Tulsa 2001) with an incredible 129 submitted in 2007! More
information about this enjoyable winter event is available at Great Backyard Bird Count. Be sure to check out the
results and photos.
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Each year PCAS members participate in the ODWC Winter Bird Survey. This bird survey is similar to the Great
Backyard Bird Count above, but it is statewide rather than nationwide.
The ODWC Winter Birds Survey has taken place each January for the past 18 years. The information learned from
birders across the state has helped the ODWC compile a history of the upward and downward trends of birds
visiting Oklahoma winter feeders.
Click OK Winter Birds Survey for some helpful hints to bird identification and/or to take the survey.
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Since 1947, PCAS has been part of the National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count, the
longest-running database on wintering birds in the Americas. See the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird
Count for more information.
The Stillwater Christmas Bird Count, takes place in the same 15-mile-diameter circle each year. Each year, on the
first Thursday of December, PCAS members and those in the community interested in participating, meet at the
Stillwater Public Library to prepare for the Count. At this time, coordinators Jim Ownby and Tim O'Connell, help
assemble count groups and assign each group a portion of the Count circle. The Stillwater CBC count circle area
map can be enlarged and printed for use during the actual CBC, which generally takes place, as its name
suggests, sometime in the week or weekend before Christmas.
The PCAS conducts two area Christmas Bird Counts, the one in Stillwater, above, and one coordinated by John
Couch, at Sooner Lake. Get in touch with John for more specifics on the Sooner Count.
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Birdathon is The Payne County Audubon's major FUNd-raising activity. During April and May, birders count bird
species during a 24-hour period and collect pledges from sponsors. Some sponsors pledge an amount per
species (e.g., $.20 per species) and others pledge a flat amount per event (e.g., $20.00). It's not unusual for a
good birder to see 80-100+ species in late April, when migrants and summer residents arrive in Payne County.
Click on one of the links below to find out more or to print out a form:
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PCAS Birdathon Team Sign Up Form
Click on this link to open a pdf Team Sign Up Form that can be printed, completed, and mailed to the PCAS
Birdathon Coordinator.
PCAS Birdathon Pledge Form
Want to sponsor a Birdathoner or simply make a Birdathon donation but haven't been asked? Click on the link
above to open a pdf Birdathon Pledge Form that can be printed, completed and mailed to the Birdathon
Coordinator. You may support a team member, a team, or the Birdathon in general. A pledge may be made for a
certain amount per species observed, or a pledge may be for a fixed amount, which is not dependent on how
many species are observed. If you are pledging a fixed amount, you are welcome to go ahead and make a
payment without waiting for Birdathon to occur.
Team Report
Click on the link above for a pdf Team Report form that can be printed, completed and mailed or delivered to the
Birdathon Coordinator. To be eligible for prizes, your team must complete and return this form and your collected
funds to the Birdathon Coordinator by or before the Awards Potluck Picnic.
Sample Messages
Click on the link above to find several prototypes of ways to approach your prospective sponsors. Decide which
one would be best for you and then print this method and use it as a guideline.
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