Ok, so there have been precious few Big Days submitted for the annual report so far...therefore, in an attempt to spur interest in this fascinating and exhilarating aspect of our wonderful hobby of birding, me and a few other Howard County birders have agreed to do a Big Day in Howard County in each month of the 2013 calendar year.
I am encouraging others to do the same...either in your home county or perhaps do a statewide, eastern shore, western shore, or whatever. Just think, any Big Day completed is going to instantly set the bar for Big Days in that county or region and for that month!! And really, how tough can a county Big Day be? It's not like you have to travel all over the state and scout for a month in advance, right?
Just make sure you abide by the ABA Big Day Rules. Big Days can be done by a single person or a team of ANY SIZE, you just have to all be able to ride in the same vehicle and everyone has to ID at least 95% of the birds counted. And of course, you are not allowed to get any help from other birders or electronic sources on the actual day of the Big Day.
So, get out there and have some fun! Heck, for added incentive, I'll even include your January and February Big Days from THIS year in the upcoming annual report, so you won't have to wait long to see your name in lights! Just think of the winter finches and waterfowl (no ice!) you can tick on your Big Days right now!
Big Day reporting forms were included in the last Annual Report reminder I sent out and I will send another reminder or two prior to the end of the month.
Russ Ruffing
Woodstock, MD
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