Rules of the Bird-a-Day Challenge

Bird-a-Day Rules:

1. Every day you add a new bird that you see or hear (not on the television, in a book or on the internet) to your list of birds for that date. You don't have to enter your observation each day, but in a timely manner post your observations for the rest of us to see.
2. You may not repeat the same bird or skip a day.
3. Any non-caged, non-captive, free flying bird is allowed; that is except for a chicken. We're not sure why chickens aren't allowed, but we accept the rule and live by it!
4. We operate by the honor system, just like any other bird list, it is your own. The competition is more with yourself than with others. Unless you live next door to someone who is participating, there is really no way make circumstances equal.
5. When your time to end is near do your best and consider what you can do to improve next year. Don't break the bank flying around the country chasing the next bird.... that is unless you own the bank.
6. Encourage others who are participating and keep others up to date about the great birds you will ultimately find throughout the year.
7. Have Fun! Enjoy getting outside and watching the birds.

The Prize:

At some point during the year "you will be unable to see or hear a new bird" to add to your list. When this happens you have completed the race and have established for yourself a mark to try and better next year.
During your attempt to go deep into the year you will undoubtedly see many more birds than you would have if you hadn’t attempted the challenge. Pat yourself on the back and know you did your best.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

April 6 - Palm Warbler

Today I made a trip too Garret Mt. Reservation. Lots of Palm Warblers and Pine Warblers around as well as 20+ Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Hermit Thrushes and Chipping Sparrows were new for the county for me today.

April 5 - Hermit Thrush

Today I was again in Harrier Meadow. More Yellowlegs showed up with numbers increasing to 100+. 3 Snipe were seen as well as 5 Northern Harriers and 6 Hermit Thrushes.

April 4 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Some migrants have started moving in. We saw 45 species in Harrier Meadow today with Palm Warbler numbers starting to increase. Least Sandpiper, Field Sparrow and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher were new arrivals.

April 3 - Golden-crowned Kinglet

Another day at Harrier Meadow and still lots of swallows around. A couple of Golden-crowned Kinglets are in the cedars. A good bird to use today.

April 2 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Today I'm back home and made a trip to NJ Meadowlands. At Harrier Meadow we saw lots of swallows, mostly trees, but a couple of Northern Rough-winged Swallows were mixed in. Later in the day I made a trip to Halifax Rd. in Mahwah where a Red-throated Loon is reported on Lake Henry. Very rare occurrence to have the loon on the water here.

April 1 - Yellow-rumped Warbler

Today I have an extra half hour in the morning, so I'm trying out a new place, Herndon Monroe Wetland Preserve. Lots of Towhees around here too. Other birds around were Northern Rough-winged Sparrows, Red--shouldered Hawk, Field Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

March 31 - Eastern Towhee

Day 2 in Virginia has me out in the early morning looking for migrants, but I'm overwhelmed with the songs of the towhees. I guess that's the bird today.

March 30 - Chipping Sparrow

Today is the first full day in Northern Virginia. I have a small park where I like to look for migrants. Some nice birds are around like Towhees, Woodpeckers, Cooper's Hawk building a nest and Chipping Sparrows.

March 29 - Surf Scoter

Today begins the weekend in Virginia at another Sports card and Autograph Show. I have to leave early and stopped at Sandy Hook on my way down to pick up my van. Gannets, Oystercatchers and a harrier flew by. But 1 close Surf Scoter was seen.

March 28 - Wood Duck

Another day another trip to The Celery Farm to search for the Virginia Rail. Still no luck. Not too much happening around and time is limited today again. Gonna use the Wood Duck a bit earlier than I wished but that's how it goes sometimes.

March 27 - Lesser Yellowlegs

Another day without much time, so off to DeKorte again. Still seeing the same ducks but Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs have been around. Both species have been here all winter. Lesser is tougher to find so I'm using that. Lesser is the smaller one of course in the photo.

March 26 - American Black Duck

Not having much time today I decided to stay local and go to DeKorte Park, NJ Meadowlands. Most of the duck I saw I've already used, but Black Ducks are still around and I should use that bird before they become scarce.

March 25 - Red-throated Loon

Today I had to travel to Westchester County, NY for a Sportscard and Autograph show. I made a trip to nearby Rye Playland to check out the water for some ducks. Red-throated Loon was seen diving in the distance. Loon photo was from an earlier date at another location.

March 24 - Pine Warbler

After hearing that Pine Warblers have been seen and heard at The Celery Farm, I decided to head on up there. 2 Pines were heard and seen easily in the deciduous trees of course, not the pines. But then that's where the bugs were I guess.

March 23 - Red-shouldered Hawk

I made a trip to The Celery Farm in Allendale today. I'm still searching for that Virginia Rail. No luck as usual. A nice adult Red-shouldered Hawk flew by along Franklin Turnpike, probably one of the local nesters. Photo is of another RSHA I saw in Middlesex county.

March 22 - American Coot

Today after a trip to Manhattan I made a stop at Liberty State Park. There's not much here, but a few Coots.

Monday, June 11, 2012

March 21 - Barn Owl

Tonight shortly after sundown I staked out the Barn Owl roosting site waiting for the birds to come out to hunt. My wait wasn't long, 1 bird flew out of the building, circled and flew off to the marsh and landfills to hunt. Photo is a captive bird at an educational display in NJ Meadowlands.

March 20 - American Woodcock

In the morning I made a stop at Harrier Meadow, NJ Meadowlands. Still not too many birds moving in migration yet. After sundown I stopped in The Meadowlands to listen for Woodcock. 2 or 3 birds peenting around the Avon landfill.

March 19 - White-throated Sparrow

Today I made a trip to Tenafly Nature Center. I haven't been here in a couple of years. There's lots of tree damage around from October's snow storm. This may be a place we stop while doing the World Series of Birding in May. There wasn't too much around, but White-throated Sparrow needs to be used soon, so today's the day.

Chris's 2012 Bird-a-Day Blog