Maryland Big Day
PObrien776 (PObrien776@aol.com)
Tue, 19 May 1998 17:57:55 EDT
News Flash!
Another 200+ Big Day in Maryland!
For the second time in three years the Team Formerly Known As The Brown-headed
Nuts has broken the 200 species barrier for a 24-hour chase across the state.
The Team, etc., consisting of Michael O'Brien(NJ), Paul O'Brien(MD), Ottavio
Janni(DC and Italy), Paul Pisano(VA) and Will Russell(AZ) covered the state
from Cranesville Swamp in Garrett Co. to Assateague Island in Worcester Co.,
starting at midnight Sunday, May17 and finishing at midnight Monday, May 18.
The total for the day was 206 species, which tied the record set in 1996 by
The Team, etc., which had the same membership minus Will Russell and
substituting John O'Brien for Paul O'Brien. Well, almost the same membership.
The success was primarily the result of intensive scouting in the days before
the Big Day. The most unlikely birds of the day were holdover Red(3) and
White-winged(30) Crossbills at Swallow Falls. By acclamation, the bird of the
day was a Bobwhite near the Pocomoke River. (Have you any idea how scarce
they have become?) Actually, the real reason for the high count was the
famous trail mix, the recipe of which is a closely-guarded Pisano family
secret. Don't even think about asking.
Texas has its Birding Classic (won by Maryland's Marshall Iliff) and New
Jersey has its World Series of Birding (Marylandershave been known to take
home trophies on several occasions). But why do all that unnecessary travel
when Maryland has such great birding? They say Virginia is for Lovers and
that Maryland is for Crabs. But I say Maryland is for the Birds!
Paul O'Brien
Rockville, MD
pobrien776@aol.com