Day 121 - April in the Books

Time is really flying now... 3 days ago I talked about impatiently waiting and now, I'm saying time is flying.  I'm like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The truth is I am impatiently waiting while time flies if that makes sense.  April really did go fast though.  I think its partially because I spent a lot of time birding.  In fact in April I spent 78.25 hours birding.  The equivalent of just over 3 entire days--or almost 2 full work weeks for the gainfully employed.  That's about 2.5 hours each day. Which is nothing once you see what my average for May ends up being.  I bet I will easily top 100  hours for May--and I bet 150 isn't unreasonable given the amount of birding I need to do in this month.

But back to April.  I hit the ground running after the painfully slow end to winter.  It was a great month in which I added 56 new year birds to my current total of 216 species.  Here is a subtle clue--I am not the current eBird Top 100 leader in Narnia.  The truth is that I scratched a weekend trip that would have easily put me at the front of the pack--to hold off for even more bird in May.  My 56 species though in included some really great year birds.  I had 2 birds that I did not have on my previous big year attempt.  I also had 2 other birds that I rank very highly in my ranking system for birds to see this year.  Needless to say that while 56 species isn't all that impressive of a total--the quality is what matters.

April had me busy--and while I risk giving up some information about the size of my state, I will tell you that I drove as many miles in April as I had in the previous 3 months combined; and that 2,291.8 miles... Does that help rule out Rhode Island and Connecticut?  While that number seems quite large- I actually spent at least 15 minutes birding every day in April.  And most week days I spend about an hour and traveled no less than 12 miles.  I also birded most weekends, and took several day trips long distances to track down birds. At an average of about 70 miles a day, this really isn't too big of a number for most states, especially in a big year.

Perhaps the number that is most interesting and starting to grow is the distance I traveled on foot this month--27.6 miles.  While this is less than a mile a day, it is almost 1/2 of my total mileage by foot for the year.  Again, May will topple this number, as I can see 60 miles being a reasonable distance in the next 31 days.

Aprils great successes didn't come without some headaches, misses, and potential disasters.  What, a disaster?  I am missing a species that I absolutely have to get in the next 2 weeks--and that means sneaking away to find it and telling no one.  This birds is a gimme in Narnia but requires a little work to get to it.  And it's not just taking an hour out of my day to do so.  If I miss this bird, that is basically giving away a free one.  I can't let that happen.  I planned on having it wrapped up in April, but a number of things happened that made it impossible.   Sometimes you take a risk for one thing, and then risk losing the other thing all together if you catch my drift.    That one miss may not seem like a big deal, but a gimme on a big year that isn't taken is a disaster.

The misses this month included a handful of birds I should see later.  I won't waste my time chasing some one elses "rare" find, when I usually can find my own at a more convenient time and place.  There were  a few of those in April so I'm not going to dwell on them.  The bigger misses were the no less than 4 very rare birds that popped up in random places at bad times.  One was never reported and I hear it through the grape vine.  The other 3 weren't worth the risk of chasing.  I actually can't verify that any of the 4 were actually correctly ID'd as there were no photos or documentation--so it's just speculation. But 3 of those 4 I did not have on my previous year, so they could end up being quite costly...

The last week of April was a good week, and I added 5 species since my last post. I actually thought I had 2 more, but I had seen them earlier in the year, and just forgot until I looked at my list.  But my daily outings turned up Dancing Sprinter and Flocking Ornament for the year.  The ornament is interesting because they breed in Narnia but can be quite isolated.  If you miss them during migration it can be a tough find the rest of the year.  I happen to talk to a birder who said they had seen one in a strange spot--I was there so walked a short distance and was pleasantly surprised that it was indeed correct.  Other new birds included hearing a  few Vivid Jewels.  I hoped to see them, but that will come later.  I ended the month with a Slapping Migrant, a bird I also saw in my previous big year and was excited to tick off for 2016.

I did have one very frustrating species in April that I chased no less than 3 times.  I almost gave up after routing #2, but figured the 3rd try was the charm.  When you chase the same species over and over you start to wonder if you really should just walk away from it?  Is it worth the time, gas, miles, money, and stress?  Would that effort be better spent on other birds.  I know for a fact, because of the time I spent on these chases, I missed the opportunity for one of the 4 rarities that I missed in April.  That is frustrating to think about.  The chases also make me vulnerable to being figured out.  Why are you going to look for this bird again and again and again? Luckily the 3rd time was the charm and no other birders were around to see me at the chase sight yet again.  The hard part is keeping it a secret till 2017...

Aprils now in the books and as I write this on May 1st, I've already added a year bird...Time flies as I impatiently wait for the 80 or so birds I need to see in the next 30 days... and the big year rolls on...

New birds this post: 5
Year List: 216

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Day 118 - Impatiently Waiting...

The waiting game can drive a person nuts. Whether its knowing there is a rarity to chase that you can't quite get away to look at yet--or--just knowing there are new birds arriving everyday and wanting to get out to look for them, but can't because of the weather, time, or any number of things. There is also the waiting game of having a planned trip and having to wait while you see others pile onto their year lists while yours slowly creeps higher. The waiting game, especially in the age of eBird can be maddening.

For the past week I've meandered around picking up a few new birds as they arrive and/or head north.    The first Obvious Hikers of the year showed up and I'll have to admit--I didn't report them.  They're common enough, and I wanted to keep my day list a secret.  The day also turned up both American and Usual Loungers, and my first Dusky Yellowchests of the season.  I didn't get a picture as the yellow chests were just an audible.  I've only had a handful of audibles this year that I haven't gotten pictures of, so my hopes remain high that I'll find some later to take pictures of.  As of today I added 7 species since my previous post--and am still missing some of the most common arrivals of the season...

Today I am playing the waiting game for the month of May. April has been kind to my year list, but not as kind as I had hoped. I had planned to have 2 more major birding outings for the month which would have probably netted 50+ species, but it looks like both trips will be pushed back to May. May will be busy. I will be fitting a lot of birding into a few days spread out of the month. In between specific outings to help build my list, I'll be trying to spend several hours every morning in the field, playing the odds, and hoping to find a few rare birds to help pad my year. And the wait is killing me.

I expect May will produce no less than 74 new years birds, and maybe as many as 89. If I pick up 89 that will put me right at 300 species five months into 2016. That's a good place to be at going into June. June should net another 10-15 new species before things slow down for July. Then fall migration will hit and we'll be right back at it. So you might be thinking, this undercover birders is telling me that 1/2 way through the year they think they'll have around 310-315 species of birds. What does that leave for the following 6 months?

I won't get into the specifics of that yes as its still 2 months away, and everything right now is speculation. That number might key you in on a handful of states to look at--but your list should have been narrowed considerably at this point. I'm not going to give any clues away in the next two months that will help though. No proper names, no narrowing of states, nothing. May and June are all about the birding and hammering away at the have-to-gets, and the have-to-chases. For now I'm impatiently waiting for the next new year bird, and the birding that will follow over the next 60 days!

New birds this post: 7
Year List: 211

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Day 112 - The Unpredictable Flyer

So some time last week an Unpredictable Flyer was reported in Narnia. They occur here annually and can be found throughout the state but they aren't reliable really anywhere. Over the years there have been a few spots where they can usually be seen. It may take 3-4 visits to pick them up, or having someone else keep you in the loop when they come across them. More often than not when I've seen one here, it's been a migrant, flyby, or in some location perched in a random tree. They truly are just unpredictable.

I imagine historically they were more widespread and probably could have been seen with some regularity at certain sites. But in the 21st century it seems this species has been pushed to the brink where Aslan roams. I was actually worried that I may not be able to get one very easily in 2016, and was thinking I might have to drop everything and run when one gets reported. But reports started coming in, and it seemed that the Flyers would be a home run.

So today I ventured out into the Shuddering Woods, close to the Witch's Castle, and near the Frozen Waterfall. I hate going into this area though. The creatures that inhabit this forest are strange--usually nice in passing--but most outsiders would look at them with intrigue, and disbelief. They are quite gullible as well--you can tell them tales of fancy and they'll pretty much believe whatever you say. But if you happen to converse with them, don't spend too much time--they'll try to pull you in to their fantasy, and you might be lost forever.

Luckily today I didn't encounter any creatures who were interested in talking. But I also couldn't find the birds when I arrived. I scanned and scanned, and scanned. I checked every tree that looked appealing, and made several oops through the forest. Eventually I was about to give up when out the corner of my eye, I spotted the shape I was looking for atop a distant perch. I made my way to a better view point and soon found another birder there. I kept a low profile, snapped a few pictures and departed before they noticed who I was and asked why I was there. Phew!

For a few moments I worried they might flag em down, but I think I made it out without really being noticed. I slowly made my way out of the woods and continued my day, 1 bird richer for the year--a true tick. I am not a fan of the quick tick, in and out, one and done. I like to admire the birds, and take pictures, and enjoy the experience. With a big year its possible to do this. But trying to maintain my anonymity sometimes means I have to keep things short and be on my way before someone asks questions.

On a normal year, I probably wouldn't go out of my way to see an Unpredictable Flyer. Hell, there are dozens of birds I may not see on a typical year. I am not the kind of birder that needs to see every single regularly occurring species in my state every year. I would rather have quality encounters that leave lasting memories. To each their own I suppose. So getting the flyer today was a nice treat even with such a brief meeting. Next year, I probably won't track one down, and in 10 years, they might be almost impossible to find in Narnia--only time will tell.

New birds today: 1
Year List: 204

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Day 109 - The Perfect Storm (& 200th Species)

“Meteorologist see perfect in strange things, and the meshing of three completely independent weather systems to form a hundred-year event is one of them. My God, thought Case, this is the perfect storm.”

― Sebastian Junger, The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea 


Sometimes all your ducks line up in a row--or to quote Sebastian Junger, "this is the perfect storm".  Although his verison of the perfect storm was an ominous and unforgiving force of nature wreaking havoc on the open ocean, my version is more of the stars aligning type storm.  If you follow birding, migration, and weather in the United States, you know that the middle part of April has been wild.  Hot temperatures, freezing temperatures.  More than a foot of snow in Colorado.  More than a foot of rain in Houston.  Huge winds in the west. Mega-migration in the midwest.  High Island getting its annual inundation of birders and migrants.  This April is turning into the perfect storm for birding--and the weather is a key to it.

Some will blame El Nino, while others will just look at history and see patterns that generally April shapes up to be an interesting month anyways.  And it's no different here in Narnia.  After the early boom, things slowed down for a bit, I was becoming increasingly anxious waiting for new migrants.  I made daily excursions to expected locales for expected arrivals--and nada.  Then the perfect storm crept across the nation so to speak and I got a mi-April wave of migrants.  I can't get to specific--as with most of my posts, but it all started with a Speckled Probe.  That first probe of the season quickly led to finding The Crook, and several Striking-wings.  3 new year birds in one morning.  I decided to press my luck and turn up the pressure on a local breeder--I headed to the Edge of the Conifers and drove a lonely stretch of road.  It wasn't long before the Savory Whistlebirds started popping up.  4 new year birds and the big year rolled on.

It's no secret that big years survive and thrive not on the every day species, but the unexpected, or the least expected.  Mathematically speaking if the average year list for birders in Narnia were 400 species, and the big year record was 450, then one could assume that more than 50 species would have to be the least expected sorts.  The under-400's are going to see a few unexpected, while the over-400's are going to consist of listers who typically chase a number of unexpected.  So if 75 species are of the least expected, we can assume a small percentage of those are completely unexpected as well.  These 75 are the must-gets.  You will miss birds, but these 75 are absolutely integral to a big year.  I've already had a handful of these least and unexpected--and I've also missed a few.  Those hurt.

April has already had its fair share of unexpected birds in Narnia--and I've tracked them down.  I can't share their names here--that might be a clue.  Remaining vague at this point is my best weapon for anonymity.  I've been lucky, I've been persistent, and I've stayed on course. And through it I've kept ticking of birds.  My first Bulky Loungers showed up as well as the False Anglers, and a Lowly Follower.  Arid Migrants, Summer Ornaments, and Camouflaged Hikers all added to my excitement as my Year lest crept towards a milestone--200 species.  The lucky bird was a Trivial Sprinter.  And then a few more species rolled in capping off a sometimes excellent and at other times slow 10 days of birding.

The perfect storm has been brewing and my secret big year continues 1 bird at a time as I look towards 250, then 300.  It might only be a matter of weeks--and 50 days from now I could easily be past 300...

New birds week: 15
Year List: 203

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Day 98 - The April Boom

So with April underway I've made a decision to only post 1 time each week. This is more of a measure to save my identity than anything else, as with some rare finds, chases, etc at this point, it will be easier to narrow things down. I may post odds and ends during the weeks as well, but will try to keep it to an end of week recap at leas for the time being. I thought about pulling an April Fools joke and announcing I was giving up on my big year just 3 months and 1 day in, but figured that joke might be too obvious--so I held off. And then the week went on... And I didn't see anything new--April Fools!

April started off hot with new arrivals and my list slowly began to creep north again. I wandered off around Narnia this week and found myself surrounded by migrants, summer residents, and a few birds I'd missed in my coming and goings. My first Lesser Master-hustlers of the year were the first new arrivals. Shortly after a small flock of Flocking Reviewers flew past me, starting the waterfall of good birds for the week. Buzzing, Masked, and Pink-billed Zippers. Splendid, Bearded, and Tail-wagging Hobbits. Chattering Inspectors and Patterned Endurants. It was a a snatch and grab start to April. I saw some of my favorites, including several Awkward Sentinels, and a Highway Overseer.

But the usual finds were supplanted by the great finds. No big year can be complete without finding some great birds. You can solely rely on others to find and you to chase, but that isn't enough. When you are out in the field if you find some good birds, you will only help your big year be bigger. The first good bird I found was an Adorned Bootlegger. I had hoped I would find one this year--I didn't on my previous big year so luck was on my side. This was followed up by finding The Pickpocket. It was the first of the year for Narnia, and although they are found annually, some years (like in 2015) they were quite scarce.

The 3rd and final good find to kick off April was a Hall-of-fame Guitarist. This rock and roll legend really doesn't play shows in Narnia at all. Or at least not at the popular venues that draw crowds. I once sat front and center at a Hall-of-fame Guitarist show--I was the only person there in fact and although it didn't play any of it's hit songs that day, the sheer presence of such a magnificent bird left a lasting impression. Today's show was even better. With a small crowd watching, the guitarist perched up and belted out a few notes. The sun shone bright on it's rather modest attire. The guitarist saved the best for last when it took to the air and exited stage left, belting a short tune, with another show in the books.

That was fun. As the week continued, my first That-or-this Birds of the year showed up, followed by a Typical Hood, and a handful of other new arrivals. Before I knew it the first week had squeezed out 28 new year birds. It was a good week in Narnia. The Hall-of-fame Guitarist definitely made the week. It is one of the top 5 birds of the year so far. The crawl to 300 is seriously underway. I suspect the next 12 species will probably come a little more slowly--and may take a couple weeks to build up. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if April continues to be amazing--it's already leaps and bounds better than the past 60 days.

New birds this week: 28
Year List: 188

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