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.

Chris's 2012 Bird-a-Day Blog