Hi Folks!

After a successful 2004 trying to break 300 for a year in Maryland, a group of fanatics have persuaded me to set up a 2005 County List Competition.  The rules are not final yet, but points will be awarded at the end of 2005 and someone will go home with the 2005 Bragging Rights.  

Points will be awarded for Total Ticks, Win-Place-or-Show in Annual County List for each of the 23 Maryland Counties. Bonus poimts will be awarded for each species found in all 23 counties in 2005. Bonus points will be awarded for confirming rails, owls and caprimulgids for the Atlas.  Bonus points for finding new State Records and new County Records.  Bonus points for setting a new high for an Annual County List.

To pare down the size of the competitiors, there are two standards that must be met by the end of 2005:

(1) Each 2005 County List must have at least 100 species.
(2) At least 25 species must be foumd in all 23 counties during 2005.

If you are interested, please let me know.

Good Birding!

Jim

Jim Stasz
North Beach MD