Fran - Some history as I remember it. I think the all time individual record is 329 in 1994 and it was Mark Hoffman. Mark had about five pelagics that year. Six others Maryland birders were over 300 in 94. Dave Czaplak, Jim Stasz, myself, Michael O'Brien, Mary Ann Todd, and Jane Farrell (changed her name since) in descending order. It was an exciting and interesting year. Rich Rowlett maybe did 326 decades ago. Paul's best year, and Paul can correct me if I am wrong, was 300 maybe around 91. Jim Stasz is at 309 for 1999 without a pelagic as of September 18. That's impressive. He plans to do a big butterfly year in 2000. Greg Miller is probably dreaming of taking on Mark's record but he now has a day job. Marshall has never stayed in the state long enough to do 300 in a single year. Anyone that have corrections to this note or other information (Phil Davis - record keeper), please chime in. Good birding. George >>> Fran Saunders <saunderf@ARI.Net> 09/23/99 04:44am >>> Marshall's post reminded me to do another update. Actually, we are doing quite well, picking up an additional six species over the last two weeks. Pomarine Jaeger Miller and Stasz 9/8 Pt. Lookout Sooty Tern Rambo 9/16 Pax Leach's SP ? Long-tailed Jaeger Patteson 9/19 Off OC Manx Shearwater Reported to Marshall ? OC Bicknell's Thrush Hershberger Frederick That almost made up for the lost pelagic. Sightings of YH Blackbird and Bridled Tern had already been reported. This gives us 323 of 414 (genus only not counted) and 78% of our list!!! Mississippi still stands at 299 or 75.7%, but I think that is a bit out of date. Mind you, we are still collectively short of the all time big year record (by an individual, mind you), which, if I recall correctly is Paul O'Brien's 326. Excellent birding folks! Fran -------------------------------- Fran Saunders Web Site Director Maryland Ornithological Society Silver Spring, Maryland webmaster@mdbirds.org http://www.MDBirds.org