| Bird watching typically conjures up images of | | | | Can you imagine ESPN covering the event? |
| people pursuing a relaxing day of staring into the | | | | "Bob, it looks like Longbill Louie is in fine form |
| sky with binoculars. Ah, but then there is the | | | | today. Look at the way he balances those |
| competitive side of birding. | | | | binoculars and what rotation!" |
| Flying Emus...err, Elbows | | | | Probably not, but a man has to dream! |
| For many people, something is only worth | | | | Back in reality, participating in a bird watching |
| undertaking if there is an element of | | | | competition is a good idea for two reason. First, |
| competitiveness. With bird watching, no such | | | | the organizers tend to pick spots with lots of |
| element really exists unless you include adding to | | | | species you may not have documented before. |
| your life list as a competition. Even if you do, it is | | | | Second, it is a tremendous opportunity to meet |
| a rather vague, indirect form of competition. This | | | | other people who have caught the itch. This often |
| is where bird watching competitions come in. | | | | can lead to future opportunities to bird watch with |
| Also known as "bird days" or "big days", bird | | | | new friends in previously unknown areas. |
| watching competitions are typically one or two | | | | If you must compete, there are official bird |
| day events held in a specific geographic area. The | | | | watching competitions. The World Series of Bird |
| idea behind the competition is to bring a bunch of | | | | Watching is put on by the New Jersey Audubon |
| birding enthusiasts together and see who tally the | | | | Society. Teams of birders are formed and pitted |
| most species in a particular time period. | | | | against each other in early May of each year. |
| Since the honor code is tied into reporting your | | | | With humorous names such as the "four loons", |
| tally, the competitive aspect of such competitions | | | | "stokes stompers" and so on, it is a good time. |
| isn't overdone. This isn't a situation like bass fishing | | | | The next competition is May 13, 2006, so you |
| where they roll you into a stadium afterwards to | | | | have plenty of time to get in top birding form. |
| count your sightings in front of screaming crowds. | | | | Birding competitions are a bit serious for me, but |
| Then again, perhaps an opportunity presents | | | | to each his own. Having a Big Day, however, is a |
| itself... | | | | great way to get kids interested in watching. |