2011 ABA Big Day & List Report - ABA Listing Central - American ...

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moment was when we went charging out the Paradise Pond boardwalk at the end of theday. Other birders were there, not surprisingly, so we did our best to cover the area withoutbeing too much of an imposition. (We may or may not have succesed!) One group ofbirders was struggling with the identification of a bird at the end of the boardwalk andasked a team member, “Are any of you good with confusing female warblers?” The response:“I’m great at them, where is it?”That lone female Blackpoll became a key bird for us, and the final moments also got usSwainson’s and Wood Thrushes, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Chestnut-sided and Tennessee,and a few others. Unfortunately, our unshared species list had crested into the red zone,and we stood to lose four birds if we couldn’t clean them up before dusk. We decided ongoing to a spot for Snowy Plover and were counting on being able to find Northern RoughwingedSwallow (an error, as some members had seen them in the Hill Country and notmentioned it, and those running the route did not worry about that species at all), CommonNighthawk, and Sedge Wren before dusk. Amazingly, that one stop got us all threeof those, plus a needed Clapper Rail and a surprise Northern Bobwhite, our last new birdduring daylight hours. We rushed back to Paradise Pond in the final moments to see ifSwainson’s Thrush or Eastern Wood-Pewee (both missed by some earlier) were callingand we got the thrush cleaned up, putting us at exactly 13 unshared birds and 160+species. If we made no additional errors, we were safely within the 95% rule now. And tobriefly editorialize, this was therefore a perfect Big Day: we split up enough (within shoutingdistance, of course) to maximize the species that we found, but we stayed close enoughtogether to avoid missing too many birds. Far too many Big Day teams are unwilling tomiss any birds and err too conservatively, rather than gambling with the 95% rule in orderto find more birds. We were glad to have had this risky strategy work out!As dusk fell, we camped out on the Port Aransas tower with 7 or 8 possibilities in mind.A Wilson’s Snipe, American or Least Bittern, calling rail, or rare duck or shorebird (Short-billedDowitcher was inexplicably absent during scouting and on our day list) could further boostour list, but it was not to be. As it grew darker and darker, we failed to find anything new.The final three hours of darkness were windy (it was Texas after all) and we had just a fewpossibilities remaining. We chose to focus on Least Bittern at the Port Aransas Birding Centerboardwalk, where the species had cooperated on every prior visit. Our team had heardBlack Rail here too, and King Rail was possible, but neither would cooperate for us despite90 minutes of effort, so we eventually quit and headed to Rockport. Our last bird of the dayand number 264 would be a Black Rail that we heard at Cape Valero. We were exhaustedbut exhilarated, and finished the day sharing the news with our supporters and daring eachother to eat the smashed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches unearthed from the cooler.Well rested, the next day we birded casually back over the route and not surprisinglyhad a number of species we had missed: Magnificent Frigatebird, Northern Pintail, SandhillCrane, King Rail and Hudsonian Godwit were easy at exact stops we had made the previousday. An amazing Yellow Rail was seen as it was flushed by a King Rail that wassprinting across a wet meadow. And perhaps most frustrating of all, a pair of Sooty Ternsback at the Black Skimmer colony at Rockport was the first such report this year, but hadbeen declared not present by our scouters on the day before our run. More room for improvementin 2012 ... [Editor’s note: Team Sapsucker tied their own record in2012.]The effort was a ton of fun and a surprising success, given that it was our first attemptat a Texas Big Day. But most importantly, the Big Day set new fundraising records raisingover $200,000 for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and its programs to study and protectbirds in North and South America. Since four of the six team members (Brian, Chris, Marshall,and Tim) work for eBird, the species seen on the Big Day and during scouting canall be seen in eBird as well. A number of species that we found have only recently movedinto the area of the route within the last 10-20 years, especially Mexican birds that aremarching northward in Texas. Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Audubon’s Oriole, Hutton’sVireo, Elf Owl, and several others that were almost unknown from the Uvalde/Hill Countryregion just a decade ago, but we got them all. By the same token, Texans lament theincreasingly poor migration along the coast, the increasingly infrequent cold fronts, the lossof Seaside Sparrow and Black Rail habitat, and the population crashes for species likeWhite-tailed Kite and Northern Bobwhite that have declined markedly in recent years.Finding all these species in a single day reminded us about how dynamic bird populationsare and how important regular submission of complete checklists to eBird is to being ableto understand the complex changes that are occurring. It was a memorable 24 hours, notonly for the spectacular diversity of birds we experienced in such as short amount of time,but for the inspiring support of all who contributed to advance bird conservation.UTAH # 1 – 19 December 11 – 0430 to 1730 – Species totals: 83/82. (Team/shared). MerrillWebb (83), Mark Bromley, (82). Miles by Car: 152. Miles by Foot: 1. Visiting: LytleRanch Preserve, Irwin’s Reservoir, Washington Fields, Quail Creek Reservoir, New Harmony,Beaver. White-tailed Kite (V, S), Vermillion Flycatcher (S), Verdin (M), Phainopepla(M), Lark Bunting (R, S).Comments: Based on the fact that there was no official big day report for the monthof December in Utah, Mark Bromley and I decided to see what we could find. Consideringthe time of year and the number of birds listed for nearby states in December, plus theshortened hours of daylight, we figured a realistic number that we would be able to findwould be about 70 species.Our day began at 4:30 AM in Washington County at the Lytle Ranch Preserve which islocated in the extreme southwestern corner of Utah when we arose to listen for owls.After half an hour and hearing only a Great Horned Owl, we used a recording and calledin a couple of Western Screech-owls. Then we returned to the warmth of our sleepingbags for about an hour and a half, got up and had a quick breakfast, and started the daywith the dawn’s early light at 7:20 AM.Locations visited are in sequential order. After Lytle Ranch we traveled east throughMojave Desert habitat to Old Highway 91, north to Ivin’s Reservoir where we found mostof our water birds, east to the Tonaquint Nature Center on the Santa Clara Creek, andthen continued east through the city of St. George to Boots Cox Park. Visited the Springssubdivision pond where an unusual duck was swimming which we were unable to identify,then est to the Washington Fields (an agricultural area losing the battle to developers),where we had reasonably good success. From there we traveled northeast to QuailCreek Reservoir, visited the outskirts of Hurricane, and then north on I-15 to thesmall townof New Harmony. Continued on north through a cold and windy Iron County (saw nothingbut ravens) to Beaver County and the small town of Minersville, over to MinersvilleReservoir, and then completed our day in the town of Beaver at dark.WEST VIRGINIA #1 – 14 May 11 – 0400 to 2030 – Species totals: 134/131.(Team/shared). Wendell Argabrite (134), Michael Griffith (132), David Patick (134). Milesby Car: 242. Miles by Foot: 5. Visiting: Robert C. Byrd Locks, Greenbottom Wildlife ManagementArea, Cranberry Glades Area, New River Gorge National River. Blue Jay (M), Merlin(R), Horned Grebe (L).Comments: We started out early AM in Cabell and Mason County looking for owls,Common Nighthawks, American Woodcock and Whip-poor-will and continued in this localitythrough noon, before departing for the mountains in pursuit of other species.#737—Graylag Goose, December 6, 2011. St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.Photo by John Vanderpoel.16 | 2011 ABA Big Day Report & ABA List Report
A B A C H A M P I O N T O P T E N B I G D AY SCANADIAN PROVINCES AND TERRITORIESEXPLANATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING TABLE:2011 Target Total = the average of the three highest Big Day totals for each province or territory up to the end of 2010. Totals have been adjusted in some cases to reflect the 95% rule.ALBERTA (2011 Target Total=213.6)218 1-June-11 T. Hince, P. Pratt213 2-Jun-10 T. Hince, P. Pratt210 4-June-11 J. Allair, Y. Attia, S. Mackenzie178 31-May-01 T. Plath, P. Pratt, T. Hince174 1-Jun-05 Y. Attia, J. Allai163 24-May-96 B. Elder, B. Maybank, B. Storms163 30-May-04 Y. Attia, J. Allair, P. Bulman160 29-May-00 B. Carroll, B. Ritchie, T. Thormin156 27-May-98 B. Carroll, B. Ritchie, P. Marklevitz, T. Thormin156 28-May-99 B. Carroll, B. Ritchie, P. MarklevitzBRITISH COLUMBIA (2011 Target Total=198.3)202 18-May-11 R. Cannings, P. Davidson, N. Hentze197 19-May-10 R. Cannings, C. Charlesworth, A. Bartels, I. Povalyaev196 23-May-95 R. Cannings, B.Maybank, A. Jaramillo, T. Plath187 23-May-98 T. Plath, K. McPherson, M. Force, D. Tyson180 12-May-97 T. Plath, M. Bentley177 21-May-86 R. Cannings, M. Force174 21-May-95 R. Cannings, B. Maybank, A. Jaramillo, G. Sirk (Okanagan)168 19-May-96 R. Cannings, Russell Cannings, B. Maybank,F. Cooke, M.F rce (Okangan)167 22-May-88 R. Cannings, M. Gebauer, X. Lambin,L. Rockwell (Okanagan)164 26-May-85 R. Cannings, R. Howie, M. Collins (Okanagan)MANITOBA (2011 Target Total=211.3)214 31-May-08 R. Koes, P. Taylor, A. Walleyn212 2-Jun-06 T. Hince, P. Pratt208 28-May-08 C. Cuthbert, K. De Smet, R. Koes, A. Walleyn208 28-May-09 C. Cuthbert, K. De Smet, R. Koes, P. Taylor, A. Walleyn205 23-May-87 R.F. Koes, G. Grieef, R. Tkachuk, G. Holland202 1-Jun-04 K. DeSmet, A. Walleyn198 21-May-88 R.F. Koes, D. Fast, P. Taylor, G. Holland198 21-May-94 R.F. Koes, D. Fast, G. Grieef, P. Taylor198 28-May-94 R.F. Koes, G. Grieef, P. Taylor, R. Tkachuk198 24-May-07 C. Cuthbert, K. De Smet, R. Koes, P. TaylorNEW BRUNSWICK (2011 Target Total=132.7)138 18-Jun-06 T. Hince, P. Pratt136 6-Jun-92 J. Edsall, D. Gibson, D. Miles124 1-Jun-91 J. Edsall, P. Pearce, D. Gibson100 26-Aug-89 B. Maybank, B. Dalzell82 18-May-05 T. Woodrow75 13-Sep-98 T. Woodrow, F. Woodrow (single-island)67 11-Oct-03 J. Guenette55 11-Nov-03 J. Guenette54 19-May-05 J. Guenette52 20-May-05 J. GuenetteNEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR (2011 Target Total=105.3)117 11-Jul-07 T. Hince, P. Pratt106 2-Sep-84 B. Maybank, R. Burrows, M. Masse93 17-Jul-98 C. Stevens II, L. Bateman, J. Briffett, M. Vassallo78 20-May-84 B. Maybank, R. Burrows78 13-Oct-85 B. Maybank, B. Mactavish76 7-Jun-86 B. Maybank64 29-Aug-87 B. Maybank38 26-Mar-95 B. Maybank, B. Mactavish31 26-Apr-97 B. Maybank, B. Mactavish, K. Knowles,J. Wells, P. Linegar27 28-Feb-87 B. Maybank, B. Mactavish, J. Wells27 18-Dec-85 B. Maybank, M. DufresneNORTHWEST TERRITORIES (2011 Target Total=55.0)64 18-Jun-98 P. Hamel, M. Hearne54 18-Jun-95 R. Tymstra, D. Parsons47 24-Jun-93 R. Tymstra, D. Parsons41 18-Aug-91 D.M. Forsythe, C. Kersting40 19-Aug-90 D.M. Forsythe, J. Lasley40 13-Aug-98 E. Burroughs, C. Burroughs37 18-Aug-88 R.M. Odear, C. Bender, P. LandryNOVA SCOTIA (2011Target Total=143.0)145 21-Jun-99 S. Yetman, C. Stevens Jr.144 10-Jun-98 F. Lavender, C. Stevens Jr, S. Yetman140 5-Jun-94 B. Maybank, F. Lavender, J. Waldron137 6-Jun-92 B. Maybank, F. Lavender, J. Taylor, K. McKenna137 5-Jun-93 B. Maybank, F. Lavender, J. Taylor, K. McKenna, C.Brennan135 1-Jun-91 B. Maybank, F. Lavender, J. Taylor, B. Sarty131 26-May-89 B. Maybank, F. Lavender123 29-May-93 B. Maybank, R. Foxall121 9-Jun-71 E.L. Mills, D.W. Finch118 31-May-98 B. Maybank, M. Newell, W. AtwoodNUNAVUT36 10-Jul-04 R. Knapton, C. Sidler, C. Kersting, T. MolterONTARIO (2011 Target Total=196)200 29-May-99 T. Hince, P.D. Pratt194 21-May-11 J. Brett, C. Friis, S. Mackenzie194 24-May-94 T. Hince, P.D. Pratt186 11-May-79 A. Wormington, T. Hince, D. Sunderland, M. Runtz182 18-May-96 M. Bain, R. Tozer, D. Barry (Durham region)181 28-May-94 M. Bain, D. Beadle, B. Henshaw (Durham region)180 17-May-80 A. Wormington, P.D. Pratt, D. McCorquodale180 22-May-93 R. Tozer, D. Tozer, D. Barry, M. Carney (Durham region)180 3-Jun-97 T. Hince, P. Pratt178 20-May-95 M. Bain, D. Barry, M. Carney, P. Holder (Durham region)PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (2011 Target Total=130.0)141 6-Jun-04 R. Cooke, E. Marcum. D. Seeler128 28-May-94 R. Cooke, D.G. Stewart, B. Maybank121 29-May-93 R. Cooke, D. McAskill, B. Bowerbank, R. Palmer, L.Thomas, J. Watts117 31-May-92 R. Cooke, D. McAskill, R. Palmer, S. Stevenson109 3-Jun-95 R. Cooke, D.G. Stewart, G. MacDonald108 2-Sep-91 R. Cooke, D. McAskill, B. Bowerbank104 21-Aug-85 B. Maybank, S. Tingley100 13-Aug-84 P. Lehman, J. Langham69 19-Nov-05 D. McAskill, D. Seeler69 19-Apr-08 D. Oakley, D. Seeler69 5-Dec-09 D. Seeler, D. OakleyQUÉBEC (2011 Target Total=168.0)175 6-May-07 O. Barden, G. Lemelin166 2-Jun-03 T. Hince, P.Pratt163 28-May-05 D. Bird, R. Titman, M. Gahbauer, R. Gregson, M. Dennis161 27-May-02 O. Barden, N. Barden158 28-May-88 G. Gendron, D. Ruest155 22-May-93 J. Lachance, A. Côté, G. Lemelin2011 ABA Big Day Report & ABA List Report | 17
Page 3 and 4: C O N T E N T SGet Ready to Rally!C
Page 5 and 6: 2011 ABA Big Day Report & ABA List
Page 7 and 8: a route and setting a schedule than
Page 9 and 10: Norfolk and Haldimand, Long Point.
Page 11 and 12: scouting. We did hit the traditiona
Page 13 and 14: and invariably some silly misses wi
Page 15 and 16: we needed in 30 minutes and never s
Page 17: Mattamuskeet NWR, Alligator River N
Page 21 and 22: 185 23-May-10 N. Bonomo, P. Dugan,
Page 23 and 24: 174 13-May-06 J. Eades, J. Malone,
Page 25 and 26: 157 26-May-01 A. Strong, S. Schwenk
Page 27 and 28: Morocco 108 1-Jan-94 S.M.Lister, M.
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Page 31 and 32: LIFE LIST DATA - AreasABA AREAABA A
Page 33 and 34: ABA AREA437 672 N Easley, Kevin (FL
Page 35: CANADA - LOWER FORTY-EIGHT56 375 Wh
Page 38 and 39: UNITED STATESA R E A S51 791 N Jaco
Page 40 and 41: UNITED STATES - AOU AREAA R E A S49
Page 42 and 43: MEXICO - WEST INDIES/CARIBBEANA R E
Page 44 and 45: WORLDLIFE LIST DATA - Listing Regio
Page 46 and 47: NORTH AMERICAR E G I O N S39 1417 D
Page 48 and 49: SOUTH AMERICA - AFRICAR E G I O N S
Page 50 and 51: EURASIA - PACIFIC OCEANR E G I O N
Page 52 and 53: MILLENNIUM LIST - PHOTOGRAPHED-ABA
Page 54 and 55: WORLD FAMILIES - ALL TERRITORIES &
Page 56 and 57: ARIZONA - CALIFORNIAUNITED STATES14
Page 58 and 59: FLORIDA - ILLINOISUNITED STATES9 42
Page 60 and 61: MARYLAND - MINNESOTAUNITED STATES7
Page 62 and 63: UNITED STATESNEW JERSEY - NORTH DAK
Page 64 and 65: SOUTH CAROLINA - TEXASUNITED STATES
Page 66 and 67: VERMONT - WYOMINGUNITED STATES17 19
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ABA AREA - AUSTRALASIAANNUAL LISTS
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MISSISSIPPI - SASKATCHEWANA N N U A
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C. A.O.U. Check-list means the late
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LISTING REGIONSThe entire world is
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ABA LISTING REGIONS170° W 60° W80
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