Monday, August 19, 2013

THE BOOBY PRIZE - #700

Blue-footed Booby is perhaps one of the oddest of birding experiences I've had this year. It took 4 forms of transportation today: taxi (to Norfolk, VA airport), plane (x3), rental car (3 hours) and finally a canoe (500 calories.)  It's definitely the only lifer I've had with a paddle - and the only canoe-assisted tick this year. Oh - and it's also #700 for my Big Year! Woo-hoo indeed!



A happy birder! This man has just seen his 700th bird for the year. 
(And he didn't fall in, despite all the excitement)

It's also a bird I thought last week would be my 700th. And it was - just a different bird, different state, and a later date. After the heartbreak of missing the New Mexico Blue-footed Booby (see here - it was taken into rehab while I was flying into Dallas) it was perhaps fitting that I'd get another chance to make this special bird my 700th. And also to be in AZ where my Big Year started. And like a lot of my Big Year, I was alone. The celebration was no less intense - although I had to ensure I didn't capsize the canoe!

Oh - before I forget, here's the bird:




Blue-footed Booby - Patagonia Lake, Arizona.

And here's the bird flying. Note the long white tail, and white patch on the back...


When Jan 1st turned this year, I had no idea I'd be doing this. I was scrambling to plan a quick birding trip to Arizona, but that was it. See the intro to my Big Year - inappropriately filed in May (!) What started off as a few successful trips morphed into a medium year, and then into a big year. An accidental big year. Even then, I was thinking 600 or maybe 650 would be a great achievement. To be at 700 in August, given the unplanned start is truly surprising - most especially to me. I've enjoyed every one of those birds. I've enjoyed the chases, the planning and the highs and the temporary lows. But most, I've enjoyed the connection I've made with other birders and the places it's taken me. Every bird and trip is a reminder of what a unique community birders are - ever willing to help a fellow birder. I'm sure it'll be these connections that stay with me. Last week was a painful one, and I'm grateful for all the support - offline and online I received.

So - what's next? After flying into Phoenix today, I'm on a flight out this evening to JFK for the Curlew Sandpiper - seen throughout the day today. A chance at getting back the bird I lost last week in MA.

So - back into chase mode. I'm in Gambell, Alaska the first week of Sept, and then a week of pelagics on the west coast.

But now, I'm trying not to look too far ahead - and just enjoying the Booby Prize!


+ + +

BIG YEAR LIST: 700 + 1 provisional

NEW YEAR BIRDS (1): Blue-footed Booby

12 comments:

  1. Congrats Neil! I'm super pumped for you. Now is when it gets really interesting. I know you're being humble about it, but could another 48 species be possible for the year? I wonder if Sandy Komito is getting just a little bit nervous.

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    1. Thanks Thad!

      I'm sure Sandy is sleeping just fine! Nothing to worry about - unless we have a record fall in Alaska.

      - Neil

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  2. Nice going, Neil. Next time you're in Norfolk VA for any reason, give me a call. Bob Ake

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    1. Thanks Bob!

      Looking forward to catching up with you and Chris Hitt sometime. Hopefully they'll be a 700 club reunion next year?

      Thanks again for the support,
      - Neil

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  3. Congrats on 700! If you could have driven up to Lake Havasu, AZ, and added the Brown Booby, you might have had a 2 Booby day!

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    1. Yeah! I actually had a 2 Booby day in the Dry Tortugas - Masked and Brown. I never thought I'd have a 3 Booby (+1 Gannet) year though. Just need that Red-footed to complete the set!

      - Neil

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  4. Fantastic! Congratulations! I've had great fun "going along" with you this year.

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  5. Excellent! Good luck with the Curlew Sandpiper and Alaska vagrants!

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    1. Hi Drew,

      Yes on the Curlew Sandpiper - still have to write that up. Great bird. Possibly the same individual that I missed in MA the week before. I think Long Island is on the flight path for shorebirds leaving MA - like the Red-necked Stint this year.

      Thanks for the comment and the support!
      - Neil

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  6. Outstanding! You are now a member of a rare group of birders (Code 5) that has made it to 700 species in one year in the ABA Area. Thanks for bringing us along.

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    1. Thanks John!

      Glad you're enjoying the reports, and thanks for calling me a Code 5! Not sure I deserve that - this year, I've actually been spotted all over the country. I've been a fairly easy birder to tick this year! I'll settle for a Code 3!

      - Neil

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