2015 Tasmanian Twitchathon results

Hi folks The first BirdLife Australia State-wide Tasmanian Twitchathon to be held for 5 years was a resounding success! The aim was to raise $1000 for conservation of the 40-spotted Pardalote and that target was not only reached but exceeded with the final figure being $1486.86. Congratulations to The Dickie Birds who managed to raise the most sponsorship money. In the 24-hour event there were three teams competing. The “Has Bins featuring the Forty-spotted Teenagers” was made up of Michael Vaughan, Peter Vaughan, George Vaughan, Simon Grove, and Lachie Clarke. They clocked up a massive 124 species, with their best bird being Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo and worst dip being Morepork, which had been calling every night both before and after the Twitchathon but refused to make any sound at all on Twitch night. Second was the “Southern Emu-wrenches” (Paul Brooks, Mona Loofs-Samorzewski, meika loofs samorzewski) with 117 species. They definitely won the most-traveled prize though, clocking up 1200 km! Their best bird was Sanderling and worst dip (with almost too many to choose from) was Scarlet Robin. The other team competing was “Scott and Will (Scott Linnane and William Newberry) who achieved a respectable total of 87 species, despite not competing for the entire 24 hours. Congratulations and well done to everyone competing in the 24-hour category! The other event in the Tasmanian Twitchathon was the Playground category, where teams had to include at least one person under the age of 10, all sightings had to be made from within the confines of a playground, with a minimum of 1 and maximum of 4 hours twitching in total (transport between playgrounds not counted). There were four teams competing. The team achieving the highest tally at multiple playgrounds was The Dickie Birds, comprising Karen Dick, Peter Dick and Joseph Dick. They scored a massive 50 species, well done! Their best bird was a pair of Scarlet Robin and worst dip was European Greenfinch. The highest tally in a single playground was 24 species by the Swingamiejigs (Betty Evans, Michael Everett, Julie Moss, Samual Moss) at the Waterworks Reserve Playground. Their best bird was Olive Whistler and worst dip was Starling. Two other teams participated: the Paul Brooks Fan Club (Jeremy O’Wheel and Sophie O’Wheel) who saw 8 species, and the Sophie O’Wheel Fan Club (Rachel Nimmo and Nell Brooks) who saw 5 species. Thank-you to those who participated in, supported and helped organise the Twitchathon. Much appreciation also to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Pennicott Cruises, The Hobart Bookshop and the Raptor Refuge, for caring enough about the 40-spotted Pardalote to donate prizes for the winning teams. Thanks everyone! Mona Loofs-Samorzewski 2015 Tasmanian Twitchathon Organiser