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