Jim Tietz

Initiated in 1992, the Farallonathon was created to recognize the truly unique elements of the Farallones, while at the same time, participating in Point Blue's largest fundraiser, the Bird-a-Thon.

A Farallonathon consists of a one week bio-blitz where we try to find as many species of wildlife as possible. Money raised from this event goes directly to supporting Farallon research allowing us to purchase biological equipment, buy food for island personnel, and pay Point Blue staff to analyze and publish the data we collect. Please consider supporting our research by pledging either a per-point amount, or a flat donation for the event, in whatever amount you can affort.

Our point system is unique! Any new vertebrate species (or butterfly and dragonfly species) recorded during the week gets awarded a point. The exceptions are shark attacks, birds so rare that they need to be reviewed by the California Bird Records Committee (CBRC), and first island records. For each of these sightings, individual points are awarded. For example, three shark attacks in one day gets 15 points, and two Connecticut Warblers receive 10 points. A new species for the island is awarded 10 points!

What's a typical 'score' for a Farallonathon? That depends on the year - scores have ranged from a low of 105 to a high of 240 (a good year for shark attacks!). Over the last 10 years, I have participated in the best and the worst Farallonathons. A good Farallonathon, as in 2001, requires several rare birds and many shark attacks. A really poor Farallonathon usually occurs when we experience foggy weather or strong NW winds, which inhibits migrant birds from finding the island and prevents us from spotting wildlife on the ocean around the island. Moreover, the number of shark attacks we have witnessed from the island has declined steadily since 2000, which means that we are relying more and more on bird diversity.

This unique fundraising event is truly fun, but it is also part of our daily research. As Farallon biologists, we are constantly recording the wildlife and wildlife events of these near-pristine islands. Every observation is a piece of the data that we record on the island, our outdoor laboratory on the Pacific. The Farallonathon gives us a way to celebrate our work on the island and share these experiences with you. To pledge your financial support for our research, you can either pledge by the Farallonathon point, or you can pledge a set-amount.

You can make a pledge per bird species or a one-time donation on my individual fundraising page. You can donate online by clicking "donate" above, or mail a check made out to Point Blue Conservation Science to ATTN: Rich Stallcup Bird-A-Thon, Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Dr STE 11, Petaluma, CA 94954 (please include my name in the memo line, and select "Farallones" from the designation dropdown).