Bird Watching Competitions - I Spy With My Little Eye
By Rick Chapo, Fri Dec 9th

Bird watching typically conjures up images of people pursuing arelaxing day of staring into the sky with binoculars. Ah, butthen there is the competitive side of birding.

Flying Emus...err, Elbows

For many people, something is only worth undertaking if there isan element of competitiveness. With bird watching, no suchelement really exists unless you include adding to your lifelist as a competition. Even if you do, it is a rather vague,indirect form of competition. This is where bird watchingcompetitions come in.

Also known as "bird days" or "big days", bird watchingcompetitions are typically one or two day events held in aspecific geographic area. The idea behind the competition is tobring a bunch of birding enthusiasts together and see who tallythe most species in a particular time period.

Since the honor code is tied into reporting your tally, thecompetitive aspect of such competitions isn't overdone. Thisisn't a situation like bass fishing where they roll you into astadium afterwards to count your sightings in front of screamingcrowds. Then again, perhaps an opportunity presents itself...

Can you imagine ESPN covering the event?

"Bob, it looks like Longbill

Louie is in fine form today. Lookat the way he balances those binoculars and what rotation!"

Probably not, but a man has to dream!

Back in reality, participating in a competition isa good idea for two reason. First, the organizers tend to pickspots with lots of species you may not have documented before.Second, it is a tremendous opportunity to meet other people whohave caught the itch. This often can lead to futureopportunities to bird watch with new friends in previouslyunknown areas.

If you must compete, there are official bird watchingcompetitions. The World Series of is put on by theNew Jersey Audubon Society. Teams of birders are formed andpitted against each other in early May of each year. Withhumorous names such as the "four loons", "stokes stompers" andso on, it is a good time. The next competition is May 13, 2006,so you have plenty of time to get in top birding form.

Birding competitions are a bit serious for me, but to each hisown. Having a Big Day, however, is a great way to get kidsinterested in watching.

About the author:Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers ofwriting journals. journals are great bird watchinggifts for tours and vacations. Visithttp://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more bird watchingarticles.