At last, something I can not compete in but feel like I could have made a great showing if I'd remembered to do something. I suppose last year's ticks and rash don't count. How about scribbles of bird names that can't be diciphered, like sbeosp-efd morvlaver?

fdp

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Fred Pierce (DNRC)- 
Mid-Atlantic Aviation on the Web - http://www.avialantic.com
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of J. Steven Huy
> Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 12:45 PM
> To: 
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] 2005 County List Anti-Competition
> 
> 
> Hi Folks!
> 
> After nearly no birding in 2004 and not concerned with listing 
> anything in Maryland, an un-fanatic has persuaded me to set up a 
> 2005 County List Anti-Competition.  The rules are not final yet, 
> and probably will never be finished, but points will be deducted 
> at the end of 2005 and someone will go home ashamed to show their 
> face.  Well they should be ashamed, but probably won’t be, and 
> will be out birding again before the year 2006 is up. But the 
> real prize will be in setting up Jim Stasz for some sort of 
> practical joke next year - perhaps some rare bird that isn’t 
> quite what it seems...  And maybe I will bring you along on some 
> cool birding experience that few Maryland birders ever get. This 
> is a contest to finish 2005 with the most pathetic list ever.
> 
> Although this sounds like a joke, this is a real competition.
> 
> Points will be awarded for Total Ticks; five for deer and three 
> for dog.  If you get those really tiny deer ticks that can barely 
> be seen and a bulls-eye rash you can collect seven points each 
> for them.  Ticks must be saved in a clear film canister for 
> counting at year's end. Polaroid photos or doctor's notes will be 
> accepted for the rash (notes are required if the rash is some 
> place we'd rather not see!) 
> 
> You need not keep an Annual County List for each of the 23 
> Maryland Counties, just those in which you have something to 
> list. Bonus points will be awarded for each gallon of gasoline 
> not burned by birding in all 23 counties in 2005. Bonus points 
> will be awarded for confirming rails with moving trains that keep 
> you waiting at the crossing for more than 20 minutes, owls and 
> well worn copies of a DeLorme Maryland Gazetteer Atlas.  Bonus 
> points for stumbling upon new State Records and new County 
> Records.  Bonus points for setting on your butt at home and still 
> getting a new high for an Annual County List; this can include 
> but is not limited to, soaring raptors at the extreme limits of 
> binocular sight.
> 
> To pare down the size of the competitors, there are four 
> standards that must be met by the end of 2005:
> 
> (1) You should walk as much as possible, saves gas and you will 
> eventually lose some weight.
> (2) Start off the winter months wearing many heavy layers of 
> clothing and slim down by removing layers through the year 
> (warning, might get cold by next January!).
> (3) No donuts! I know those Krispy Kremes at Sheetz look good, 
> but they are bad for you.  And that little snotty kid over there 
> picked his nose then touched and licked that very same 
> chocolate-glazed you just bit into. I told you so! Hope you enjoy his cold
> (4) You must be addicted to large quantities of shade-grown 
> coffee by the end of the year.
> 
> Otherwise this contest is geared towards those of us not 
> concerned about lists.  Who can't remember to list things.  Who 
> will likely never drive to all 23 counties to bird.  Some of us 
> may even have counties we've never visited for any reason.
> 
> The rest of the rules:
> 
> •	You simply list birds you see in each county in 2005
> •	Be honest and list everything you remember to list, no 
> pretending not to see something, this is a pathetic list contest, 
> not a no-list contest
> •	You do not need to visit each county, but should try to 
> count what you happen to see in each county you visit
> •	It's ok to guess which county you are in, but you will be 
> called names if you guess at the state unless you are along those 
> confusing roads in northern Frederick and Washington counties 
> that don’t always have signs
> •	Points will be deducted for every possible species not seen
> •	If you do not report starlings in every county for which 
> you list any sightings you will be branded an idiot
> •	In order to assist the Atlas, you will get bonus deductions 
> for confirming records of breeding owls and accipiters
> •	This list of rules may not be complete
> •	The rules are subject to change at any time
> •	The rules do not need to make sense and may be confusing, 
> contradictory or downright misleading.  Don’t ask questions and I 
> won’t tell lies. 
> •	Winner will have the most believable pathetic list of 2005.  
> •	I fully expect to win this myself
> •	You must be a state resident, not just on paper so no cheating!
> •	I will determine the winning loser
> •	Favoritism is possible
> •	Results are final unless I change my mind
> 
> This is a real contest! If you are interested, please let me know.
> --
> J. Steven Huy
> Middletown, MD, USA
> 
> 
>  
> ---- Jim Stasz <> wrote: 
>  
> =============
> 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
> 
>