Posted for Kurt Gaskill:


The Eleventh Kiptopeke Challenge is set for Sept 17, 2005
Fellow BIRDers,
The Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory is holding its annual
fundraiser birdathon, the Kiptopeke Challenge, Saturday Sept 17 (in
case of terrible weather, Sept 24). We are seeking birders and other
interested people to pitch in and help in this conservation cause;
no help will be turned away! This year, participants in the KC will
receive many different kinds of prizes kindly donated by a broad
range of businesses and organizations. 
Patagonia - manufacturer of fine outdoor clothing has donated many
outdoor wear garments, www.patagonia.com
Bear Mountain Retreat - a rural B&B atop the Allegheny Ridge in
Highland County has donated a night at the B&B,
www.mountain-retreat.com
Birds I View - A nature store owned by Bob Jones in Staunton, VA;
which donated an Equinox 8x42 HP Binoculars,
www.birdsiviewstore.com, 
Blue Earth Films - producer of high quality bird films has donated
Watching Sparrows and Watching Warblers; birdfilms.com
Leupold - America's Optics Authority; www.leupold.com
<http://www.leupold.com/> , donated a pair of Wind River Pinnacles.
One Good Tern - A nature store owned by Charles Studholme in
Alexandria, VA, donating Tilly Hats for the Youth Team Prize;
www.onegoodtern.com
The Sommelier Wine and Food Society - Providing high quality wine
instruction to the DC metropolitan hospitality industry for over a
quarter of century and donated a free wine tasting course.
The Nature Conservancy of Virginia - has kindly provided Field Trip
access for a limited number of people to Piney Grove Preserve - home
of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker; nature.org
Everyone who raises $500 in donations (whether or not you are on a
team) will have a choice of a Patagonia garment item (valued over
$100). For those who decide to go birding on the Big Day, your team
has a chance at the coveted bronze American Woodcock Trophy, Piping
Plover Trophy or the Buff-breasted Sandpiper Trophy. There are
categories for Youth Teams, 3-hour Teams, and 24-hour Teams. CVWO
also provides a Kiptopeke Challenge Handbook which describes the
event's rules and simple yet proven fund raising strategies. Details
on how the prizes will be awarded can be found in the summer issue
of Coastal Flightlines, CVWOs newsletter, and also on our website,
www.cvwo.org <http://www.cvwo.org/>  .
The Kiptopeke Challenge is a very important source of funds for your
Observatory, as the Challenge accounts for nearly half of the
Observatory's operating funds. These funds are used expressly for
the purpose of supporting our research program - the vast majority
of expenses are our outstanding staff! CVWOs research focuses on
migrating songbirds, raptors and Monarch Butterflies. The
information is compiled, entered into national databases, and is
used in archival publications. The data is used to discern trends in
population and provides a basis for making habitat recommendations
to land use managers. We also provide grants to students doing
graduate research on the Eastern Shore. CVWO is a 501(c)(3)
organization and all donations are tax deductible. For more
information, please see our various publications or write to me.
How can you help? Form a team, join a team, support a team or
support the event! EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS! Send a note to me at
KurtCapt87 at verizon.net or call me at 703 768 2172. All
participants receive a prize and recognition. Business partnerships
are very welcome - please contact me to learn more. Prizes will be
awarded at the Eastern Shore Birding Festival and each team will
have a chance to describe a portion of their day to a captive
audience! (Guaranteed to make you laugh out loud!) 
Wishing you All Good Birds!
Kurt Gaskill, KC Coordinator 2005
KurtCapt87 at verizon.net