A week ago I was reeling from the July slog. Summer is moving along at a pace that isn't becoming of a big year. On the flip side I mentioned Olaf Danielson and his big year, while I failed to note there was actually another birder just 4 birds behind him at the time. This is perhaps because the #2 guy, isn't using eBird--shame on you. It's hard to take any birder seriously in 2016 who doesn't use eBird, especially if you are in the public eye in a major listing competition--like a big year. For eBirders, Olaf is the clear year leader--but as it turns out, he hasn't broken the record yet--while the guy who was at #2 is actually sitting at number one, with 754 year birds and a new ABA record. John Weigel ticked off 750 over the weekend and has added 4 more this week, putting him 5 past the previous record already. Where Danielson had been vocal and the name in the public sphere, Weigel, had quietly on his blog been cataloging his ridiculous year as well.
With 5 months left to go will it be a neck and neck race with these two? Will Weigel continue to pull away? Or will Danielson have a big push to regain the lead? And will one of them top 800 species in a year in the ABA? I personally can't imagine wasting the time, money, and energy for this arbitrary record. The most birds in the continental U.S., as well as Canada and Alaska in a year. It's really a strange border, considering we allow the counting of birds in the Aleutians--islands closer to Russia than the mainland U.S., but we don't allow birds form Mexico, or the Caribbean... An arbitrary boundary... It's a feat none-the-less, and pretty incredible. But it's not my cup of tea.
In any event, back to my secret big year. Also rather arbitrary when you mention it. This person is quietly doing a big year in their state, while using made up names to hide their state and identity along the way. And for what? State borders are just as arbitrary. Set by men for political reasons. Habitat doesn't stop at the border, and birds don't either. But alas, I am doing this, because it's fun for me. It also doesn't require, the time, money, or effort as an ABA big year. A more feasible big year for your average person. So here I am doing my arbitrary, feasible secret big year with July 2/3 of the way over--and yes, I did see some new birds this week!
I actually ticked off 5 new year birds in the past 9 days, and not all of them were species I expected for the week. Things started off with the expected. I knew there was a Dribbling Conquistador frequenting a patch of trees in a public forest. I had actually already visited this summer and spent some time scouring the trees with no luck. As it were, I actually heard the bird early on in my second search, and finally tracked it down a short time later, breathing a big sigh of relief for a bird that was turning into 1 of 2 year nemesis. I had put on countless miles on foot looking for this species this summer and was starting to wonder what I was going to do to get it. But it all worked out!
About an hour later while walking through the forest just a few miles away in hopes of a flyover of another year bird I had a flyby--of a different species, I hadn't intended to see this day. My year Defensive Hobbit flew by--and although it was a first for the year, by the end of the week I had seen almost 20. Almost too easy. But I had again missed 2 species I had hoped for on this outing. I would have to come back again later, because I still needed to must get year birds from the area.
The following day was a hot one and I spent a great deal of time in search of birds. I needed photos of a few, so I used the time to track down and get pictures of several birds I needed for the year. I have no idea ho many of them I have actually photographed at this point, but I do know that in the afternoon I added year bird #310, a Upper Stirrer, and managed a picture. I had this stirrer on my list for the last 2 weeks of July, so it was right on time. The end of the day brought one more year bird--a surprise find, and a good year bird in a Northern Thief. I have tried several times for this Thief in 2016 but thus far had come up empty on each occasion. The best part of find it was this was a bird I did not get last time--something I need for the 2nd half of the year!
The last year bird of the week came and went in a hurry. While walking along a path taking in some amazing Narnia scenery, I noticed some movement in a nearby bush. I found the bird and was surprised to see an Enlisted Migrant. A good bird and one I wasn't expecting this summer. I had already looked for one this year unsuccessfully, so this was another win for the year.
But not all things are looking up. I can do math and I know where I want to be, need to be, and should be. I won't divulge where I actually fit in to those 3 numbers, but based off this, you can assume I am falling behind. As it happens some of my misses this summer will cancel out by some other great things I find. But some will just be holes in my list. Of my original list of wants for July I only have 6 logical, and realistic species remaining. And being perfectly honest, I don't know if I can even get 3 of those. All 6 are possible for months to come, so it's not perilous--yet.
But it is hard looking at a list and knowing that you've tired 6,7, or 8 times for a single bird and are yet to have one. Yet you've seen them on 10 other eBird checklists this summer. Then there are the issues of the species that for some reason just aren't being reported. In specific two resident species that are normally summer staples have been under reported this summer, and for one species there is only one possible report. If you miss the things you guarantee for yourself, then you're really in trouble. I think I will get all these species, and probably all 6 on my list of wants--but it will probably be into September to clear them all off my list.
This is where the math comes into play, time for a reality check. While earlier I mentioned that I was within 10 species either way, you might have taken that as up to 10 species short. A possibility, As I keep running through the birds I absolutely expect for the rest of the year, and a handful of birds I think will likely show up, it's possible I am 5 short of the record. Yikes. It's a stressful proposition--all this work to keep secret and put in a big effort and I am not all that sure that I can overcome those 5 birds. This is pessimistic me. Now time for optimistic me. Getting to that number 5 short is plausible--and that doesn't include a bunch of mega rarities, only a few. If fall migration brings in some really good birds, then 5 more really isn't that many to make up--in fact running numbers a little differently, I might pass the record by 5. Optimistic me thinks that if I keep to my strategy and just make sure to chase everything that shows up I should be able to do it. There's no telling how things will go.
Imagine having these thoughts run through your head every day and tell me that even a state big year doesn't cause a little stress. Luckily I don't have to fly 3,000 miles tomorrow to chase a rarity on some coast, then turn right around for another on the other side of the states. At most I have to drive a little bit--maybe tell a fib or two about where I am, and just keep on pushing through the slog. I like the sound of that...
New birds this post: 5
Year List: 312
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What, you thought migration was over. It's just getting hot! I made a trek around Narnia the past couple days tracking down a handful of must get species. Several had limited windows for seeing them--either due to their timing, or my ability to be where they are. With the undercover big year I really am limited in a sense. I have to plan trips and make them see like everyday birding, so I can be in the right place, at the right time, for the right birds. If I miss I may be up craps creek. That was the case with the past couple days. I made plans and had to be where I had to be. And it mostly paid off.
Friday started off with a quick pile of year birds. A calling Hidden Migrant was the first year bird of the morning, calling from a thicket where it was--hidden. This was followed almost immediately by a singing Ocean Zebra-bird which I didn't just want to hear, so I tracked it down, getting great looks while the sun lit the bird up perfectly. This species of Zebra-bird has a wide distribution in Narnia, but is very localized. Despite being found throughout the state, they are by no means common.
It wasn't too long after this that a must get bird for the year piped up from a tree high above. It was a singing Influential Poet. Like its sister species, this poet has a lot to say--and I always listen when it "talks". A singing male is a slam dunk on a species that sometimes can confuse even the most ardent observers. I enjoyed the song, and the outfit this poet sported. A real stunner, and a great year bird out of the way.
As the day went on the new year birds kept coming. A Plain Inspector followed by a Late-night Talker and things were looking good. The talker is a favorite of mine, but I only heard it today. I debated whether or not to share the next year bird by it's secretive, but suggestive name. It opens up the possibilities for eliminating states. But if you've been paying attention most of the states it eliminates should have already been obvious. The singing Average Wood-Pewee was easy to track down and hopefully this isn't too big of a giveaway. You decide what's average for you--Eastern or Western... I know what's average for me.
The day just kept producing and before long I have my first Kinfolk Migrant and a singing Drab Inspector. The forest I was birding in was certainly handing over some freebies and making things easy. But nothing was a given. In fact I missed one of the most common species I expected to come across. Now I have to make sure I get back at some point int he coming months to nail one down. Eventually I heard my first Hustler species for the year--an Average Hustler. It took longer than normal into the year to get one, and I had expected 2 or 3 species on the day. I happily took the year bird though.
The afternoon netted a Nutty Conquistador which saved me some time later on having to worry about tracking one down. Very limited in Narnia there are only 4 or 5 semi-reliable locations where they can be found. Apparently for the last year they have been rather sparse where I had mine, but it was an easy find on this day. And finally after several days looking I picked up a Disguised Colorful to end the day and leave just 2 target birds I needed before the week came to an end.
Saturday started off slowly. Migration seemed to have ground to a halt overnight and I didn't find a single new migrant for the year. Eventually a singing Desert Master-hustler brought my need list for the day down to one species. And just an hour later a gorgeous Quaker's Overseer wrapped up my needed year birds for the week. I spent a little time with the Quaker's, admiring their simple ways, and striking look. It had been a number of years since I had one, so I reveled in the moment and soaked in the experience. The past week had been huge, migration didn't stop despite one slow morning. I had picked up 33 new year birds in the past 7 days and was right on pace where I needed to be for the year. I had some great finds, some necessary finds, and the expected finds of course. And as far as I know, my identity still remains a secret to most...
New birds today: 13
Year List: 264
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This week started moving fast. In just 2 days I racked up another 7 species for my year list. This time instead of swordsman, it was the Barrellers that got things started. I quickly found my first Contrasted Barreller of the year followed up by a nice Mineral's Barreller. Two barrelers out of the way and the sky was the limit. I spent yesterday afternoon wandering around a migrant trap hoping for a good vagrant. Although I saw a ton of birds, the vagrants were not to be found. I did run into a Soldier's Conquistador obviously out of habitat during its migration. I had missed this species at every turn up till now this year, so was relieved to have it out of the way.
Today started off with another species that had managed to hide from me for at leas the past 45 days. I finally spotted a Crescent Joy, ticking a birds that I was starting to worry about--strange for something I expected to come across potentially back in March. I got to bird on of my favorite hot spots in the evening, and despite a few annoying non-birders in the area, it was a fun experience. I added just one bird while out, a Companion's Migrant. I was searching for a specialty birds that I wouldn't have many chances for later, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I missed it. I decided to try something out, and checked a nearby location--sure enough after a little work, I added my Motionless Thief for the year. It wasn't the kind of encounter I enjoy all that much, but when it comes to getting the birds you need for the year, I'll take any I can get. As a side note it was my 250th species for 2016--a nice milestone to move past...
I ended the day with one last year bird--an Arid Gloom-spectre. With that name you must be wondering what the hell kind of bird is that. I will tell you that I only had an audible, but its a truly memorable sound.
Migration continued today, and I can only imagine it will get better in the coming days. I'm soaking in this time of year, as what follows will be 7 months where I see only a fraction of the new species I nailed down in the first 5 months.
New birds this post: 7
Year List: 251
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After yesterdays leaps and bounds I knew today would be a slow down. I had to take care of a few things during the day and didn't get a chance to make it out till the afternoon. Even then there weren't any easy targets. For the first time this year I birded with friends--this is where it gets hard. How do I go about posting about my birding experiences with my cohorts, on the off chance they read this.
For the most part, most of the people I go birding with are tech-savvy so if they were to come across this blog via Twitter, Facebook, or something else there is a possibility they could figure me out. Especially when it comes to days birding together and birds seen. If I go to Dr. Seuss State Park and see 7 new birds for the year, and 3 are common enough that I share the names; while the other 4 names are digestible enough to figure out--then my cover could be blown. It's a balancing act...
So the key is to balance what information I provide about the birding together and how I present it. Like everything else this year, I will cloak my birding with friends in mystery, and under the guise of Non-fiction Fiction. So here goes. This weekend I'll be birding with my good friends: Monica, Joey, and Chandler (see what I did there?). When we're not getting coffee at Central Perk, or up to 90's shenanigans, we go birding.
We are making a short trip to another part of Narnia as I mentioned previously, and will see lots of birds. So today started off with the 4 of us getting together, packing up the Mystery Machine (henceforth my vehicle), and heading out while birding en route. We made a few stops on our drive, but no new birds were added.
Shortly after we arrived at our destination for the weekend's adventure--Aslan's Federal Protected Area. Settled in for the night, I anxiously waited for morning and new year birds. Aslan's FPA is one of go to locations in Narnia, and should add a bevvy of year birds now, and later!
New birds today: 0
Year List: 94
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The slow process of seeking out the first 100 species for 2016 might seem drawn out. But in reality, I will strike 100 this weekend--probably sometime early on Saturday to be exact. How do I know this? Well, I love it when a plan comes together. This weekend is looking like a perfect storm of birds available, combined with my time for birding. I'm going to be birding a little way from home this weekend. Let's just say I'm going to the southeast northwest part of Narnia for a little bit. Looking at the possibilities I'm guessing I'll add between 40-50 year birds over the holiday weekend. That's a big chunk.
Saturday will likely be my 2nd biggest day of the year in terms of adding new birds. After Day 1, it's impossible to have another 40+ day unless I were to crawl under a rock until May and try to pull out a magical day of birding. Even then it would be a long shot. After this weekend, things will slow dramatically, and then I'll be dreaming about days of 2 and 3 new year birds.
As for today I had planned to drive out to a a nearby forest and try to scare up just one bird for the day. It would have kept me ZERO day free for the week. But a strange set of circumstances changed that and I was able to try my hand trying to track down a few birds closer to home. Things started off slow as I stopped at three locations and birds were scant. I was beginning to worry when I came over a hill and in the distance spotted a small flock of Trawlers. Both Usual Trawler and Secret Trawler were present and new for the year. I expected both this weekend, so now I don't have to wait. I made a quick jump over to one of my favorite local eBird hot spots where I found a not so regular Fierce Marauder amongst about 25 other species of birds. I noticed another bird that was roosting behind a pretty mangled tree. After I put my eyes on it, I was surprised to find an out of season Toasty Newspaper-bird. 4 New year birds in about a 20 minute span.
I thought my birding was done for the day and would have been happy with 4 new year birds. But something told me to take a break at lunch and head for The Hills. I only had about an hour so I made a bee-line to an area I knew would be active. It didn't disappoint. In 30 minutes I cleaned up with 5 new year birds. Namely I picked up 3 species of Fever-birds! Far-and-wide Fever-bird, Favorite Fever-bird, and Isolated Fever-bird were all new year birds and save me potentially a lot of trips back-and-forth to look for them later.
I also saw a handful of one of my favorite species, the Gorgeous Tree-gem. Spectacular at any time of year, I enjoyed watching them move about. During my time I also add a Smaller-billed Conquistador for the year. 9 new year birds on January 14th--leaps and bounds on a day when it wasn't expected. All within about 20 miles of my house. I won't be able to pull that off again.
It was an exciting day and actually means things will slow down more so after this weekend. I won't head back to The Hills till later in the spring and now have narrowed my list to just a few more targets for January. I could range further and wider from my home patch and possibly add another 80-90 species this month. But I won't. I have a long road ahead, and after this weekend I'll have a better idea of what the next 50-60 days will look like.
The plus side with picking up your targets is that it leaves time open to chase down the unexpected--the birds that really help make a big year big.
New birds today: 9
Year List: 94
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