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Hi Birders,
I have sad news to report. Due to the absence of key members of the
two time defending champion, Bush Turkeys, the team will not start in this years
event. Our chances of a Threepeat are dashed with half the team well north
of Victoria and not returning to defend the title in 2002.
While the thought of driving all night and the feeling that your head is
wrapped in glad wrap at the celebratory BBQ, meant that originally I was quite
philosophical about this prospect, however, once I began reading through our
plans from late last year for this years event, and trawling through the
archives for hints about this year's event, I became quite glum.
Nonetheless, following hasty discussions tonight I will be participating in
the Champagne Race with my father Norm and daughter Georgiana (who will
celebrate her 11 month birthday on the Sunday), with a non-birding driver; my
wife Sam. This decision is very new and even a silly name has not yet been
thought up (any suggestions?), let alone a route that might net a few
birds.
So the call goes out tonight for sponsors of this fine and ancient
event. Last year the Turk's got 211 species, this year the as yet unnamed
Cooney's will be happy with around 100, so the cost of sponsorship is much
cheaper (sponsorship usually works on a per bird basis, but a lump sum is
fine!). I have heard whispers that the great fund raiser, who is Margaret
Cameron, will not be around for the event, so I'm sure that there is loads of
money around to support causes such as research projects into our native
Box-Ironbark forests, Malleefowl conservation, and habitat restoration for
Regent Honeyeaters that have all been recipients of Twitchathon money in the
past.
It's unlikely that we'll win the event ("Paul, Sean, Peter... what was that
call again? Paul... Sean... Peter?"), but perhaps I can give the fund
raising stakes a good shake, for a worthy cause. So dig deep and pledge
your support. I'll even tell you the route that we finally decide to
take.
For more information about the Twitchathon, which this year is on the 26th
and 27th of October, to see a picture of how cute my daughter is (baby needs
some new bird habitat) and to pledge support, have a look at my 'Thon webpage at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/scooney/Twitchathon.htm.
Of course if this little note has stirred your competitive spirit, why not
consider taking up the challenge and organising a team. It's not too late
and as they say the more the merrier.
Regards
Stuart
By the way you got this email because you are in my address
book or you subscribe to the Birdline Victoria Updates, you sponsored the Turk's
last year or you subscribe to Birding-Aus or possibly for a forth and as yet
uncertain reason.
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