Monday Morning Mystery
Monday Mystery 020325

My Column: A New Birdy 30 Contest

CHICKADEE  Dilger SNOWDSC_0195cc hi res (1)A black-capped chickadee dines at a local suet feeder. Photo credit: Barbara Dilger.

My latest column for The Record presents your chance to do a little competitive birding (sort of), in a little event that Stiles Thomas and I concocted.

You can read it here:

By Jim Wright

Special to The Record | USA TODAY NETWORK - NEW JERSEY

    One snowy January afternoon 11 years ago, when the roads were icy and bird feeders were busy, a friend and I invented a little competition. Whoever saw the most species of birds in a half-hour won a Hershey Bar. I lost.

   Soon after, when a snowstorm closed schools and JWright Column 013925businesses early, we decided to invite acquaintances to join in. I dubbed the event “the Birdy 30.”

   To our surprise, a dozen birders took the challenge on short notice. Despite a steady snowfall, folks reported seeing cool birds from their windows. 

  The following day, another snow day for many, we expanded the contest, with folks choosing a half-hour window of their liking. This time 21 people entered, and again we saw some nice birds in addition to the usual feeder suspects.

    Since then, a few friends and I have done hundreds of Birdy 30s, including one every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. for the past few years. I’ve held several of these contests for readers of this column, and I figure it’s time for another.

   The rules are simple. The person who counts the most species of birds from their window in a continuous 30-minute period between today (Jan. 30) and Sunday evening (Feb. 2) wins. You can try more than once.

   The Birdy 30 is a practical alternative to the usual birding events and competitions, which typically run for 365 days (a big year), 24 hours (a big day), or an hour (the Celery Farm Nature Preserve in Allendale hosts an “Hour on the Tower” every Sunday morning).

    The trouble with these fine events is they can be tedious for casual birders. After 20 minutes, you glance at your watch and cringe at how much time is left. And if the weather is hot, sub-freezing or wet, ugh! -- a good time is not had by all.

   With the Birdy 30, you can relax, have a coffee, and chill. You can even listen to music or (gasp) talk on the phone without fear of disturbing fellow participants. 

   If a youngster asks why you’re looking intently out the window. you may have a future birder on your hands -- the best dividend of all.

The Birdy 30 is also good practice for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count in two weeks. I'll write about that next time.

    Two suggestions: The more types of feeders and food (suet, seed, raw unsalted peanuts) you offer, the more birds you’re likely to get.  Fill your feeders for a few hours before you start, so birds have plenty of time to check out your feeders. 

   Email me your list and total, with your name and hometown, to [email protected] are on the honor system, and please don’t strain credulity. And if you see something extraordinary, share a photo.

   Nothing can compare with experiencing nature outside, but the Birdy 30 is a nice Plan B.

   The Bird Watcher column appears every other Thursday. 

 
 
 
 
 

 

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