Hello, and welcome to the ‘Birds of a Feather’ fundraising page

As part of the 2.6 challenge, at least 26 people (lovingly referred to as 'birds' for the challenge) will be completing 26 minutes of physical activity outdoors, at 2.06pm, on Sunday 26th April, in aid of the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Update squawk - Challenge extended!:  Although challenge day has been and gone, birds are still very welcome to get involved!  The 2.6 challenge officially runs until Thursday 30th April, so should anyone wish to dedicate a 26 minute outdoor activity to raise money for the centre, please do! I'd love to add new 'birds' to the 'flock' -  simply share the names of participants (if happy to do so), their bird nicknames, and details of the activity involved in your message whilst making a donation. Thank you :).

Update squawk - Birds of a feather 2.6 challenge targets reached!!

By the end of challenge day, a total of 55 'birds', ranging
from 11 months – 86 years, plus Ron the dog, had taken part in 13
different outdoor activities, raising a staggering £1,600 for the
Scottish Seabird Centre.

This couldn't have been done without the fantastic efforts of the flock sharing their achievements and recruiting others, so a huge thank you "squawk" to all those fantastic birds involved (ranging from Wren to Great skua!). 

Together, we send a massive colony cry of thanks to anyone that donated to our cause or shared the challenge. It's safe to say we're all incredibly grateful and appreciate every penny raised for the Centre. 

A full list of the fantastic flock members and their activities can be found at the bottom of the challenge description (plus their awesome bird names!). A thread of updates from the challenge can also be found at the very bottom of the page - a lovely way to look back on their awesome achievements from the day :). Heartfelt thanks again everyone. 
      - Northern gannet

The Scottish Seabird Centre is a conservation and education charity (Registered Scottish Charity no. SCO25837) that inspires and educates people about the Scottish marine environment, motivating people to care for it and supporting conservation projects.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic the Centre has temporarily closed its doors. For a small charity, heavily reliant on the income from their not-for-profit visitor attraction, as well as fundraising activity, this closure has resulted in a very turbulent financial period for the charity.

The aim of this 2.6 challenge (background info below) is to counteract the turbulence created by these harsh times by raising vital funds for the centre, and bring people together to celebrate and support some of the best things in life; Wild places and the people who protect them; Family and friends; Shared experiences; Time outdoors.

Absolutely anyone can take part! There are 3 ways to get involved: 

1. Become a ‘bird’ - take part in a designated 26 minute activity, make a donation/ask others to donate for your efforts, and tell/nominate others. 
2. Become a ‘bird’, minus the cash - if you’re not in a position to make a donation, you’re of course very welcome to take part in an activity and spread the word/nominate someone else.
3. Become a ‘bird’, minus the effort - if you’re not in the position to take part in an outdoor activity, you can still donate &/or spread the word to support the cause. 

Every penny raised will help ensure the continuation of the important education and conservation work done by the Scottish Seabird Centre.

I, ‘Northern gannet’ (my chosen challenge bird species name), will be doing a 26 minute wildlife walk in my Local Nature Reserve, but any outdoor activity would be fantastic. Running, gardening, walking , cycling, yoga, dancing, etc. - as long as it’s outside it counts!

Birds who make themselves known will  be added to the list of participants. I’d also love to be sent pictures of people in action!

A huge thank you "squawk" to all 'birds' that have participated in ‘Birds of a Feather’ and for any donation received! Any amount is hugely appreciated. 

Important note: Please stay local and abide by social distancing measures whilst being active in public spaces. 

The fantastic 'Birds of a Feather' flock:

• Hilary Dyson & Jackie Dyson - "Guillemot" & "Kittiwake" - supporting each other whilst doing laps of their garden
• Michael Foster - "Great-crested grebe" - creative writing in the garden
• Kate Crowley - "Oystercatcher" - running
• Mikey Christides & Alex Christides - "Team Sparrowhawk" - 26 mile cycle
• Emma Dutton, Rob Dutton & Rupert Dutton -"Robin", "Arctic tern" and "Little owl" - Riverside walk
• Olivia Masi - "Corncrake" - pilates in the garden
• Cara Babineau - "Turnstone" - running Emma Dyson - "Cormorant" - running
• Helen McDonald - "Razorbill" - running
• The Roden family, consisting of Dora the "Dipper", Kirsty the "Bee eater", Gregor the "Heron", and Murray the "Puffin" - family swingball session in their garden
• Amanda Lane - "Marsh harrier" - Litter pickingRichard Lane - "Black falcon" - Running
• Emma Dyson - "Cormorant" - Walking and jogging
• Graham Foster, Kathryn Foster, Matthew Foster & Lucy Foster (The Fosters) - "Team Heron" - Family table tennis session
• Susan Davies+1 - "Team Skylark" - 26km cycle
• Sarah Pope & Andrew Pope (and Ron the dog), - “Team Dunlin" - Going for walkies
• Lisa Mahoney - "Eider duck" - Running
• Jamie McHale - "Curlew" - Running
• Linden Blair - "Great skua" - Orienteering trail
• Andrew Lane & Helen Stock - Team "Fairy penguin" - Litter picking and walking
• David Lane - "Puffin" - Litter picking
• Gill Kelly - "Carrion crow" - Walking
• Jack Kelly - "Jackdaw" - Yoga
• Sylvia Smith - "Blackbird" - Gardening
• Sonia Foster - "Wren" - Gardening
• The Bevans: Carrie, Mark, Freija, Lyn, Brian, Paul, Jo, Grace and Rory - Team "Kittiwake" - Cycling
• Christopher Lane - “Scottish crossbill” - Running
• Grace Prouse - “Grouse’ - Gardening
• Richard Anderson - "Osprey" - Running
• Paul Anderson & Barbara Anderson - "Team Red kite" - Walking
• Christopher Lane - "Scottish crossbill" - Running
• Paul  Baker - “Grey falcon” - Running 
• Jacqui Pocklington - "Starling" - Walking & Yoga for 2hrs 6 mins
  

General info about 2.6 challenge: Thousands of fundraising events have been cancelled and and many charities, particularly smaller ones, are struggling to maintain services because of this huge reduction in income. In absence of the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event, the London Marathon, due to take place on Sunday 26th April, challenge 2.6 has been set up to continue the raising money! To mark the date of the cancelled marathon, people are invited to take part in fundraising challenges containing/based around the numbers 2 and 6.