FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] Alabama Big Day

[CTSnow8618@xxxxxxx]

I've been asked to post this to TN Birds in case anyone is interested in 
participating:

As you may have already learned from another listserv, as part of the Alabama 
Coastal Birding Trail Opening Day Celebration, there will be a Big Day Event. 
All you avid birders will have a chance to compete for some very modest 
prizes and the chance to break the all-too-old Alabama Big Day record. 

On April 24, 1983, Dwight Cooley and Mark Brown set the current record 
Alabama big day record with 202 species.  Almost twenty years have passed 
since then, and the closest anyone has come during that time is 181 species.  
Even that was in 1991, more than ten years ago.  None of Alabama's top ten 
daily tallies have come in the last ten years.  You have a great chance to 
make your mark.

Each team must observe ABA Big Day Count Rules and submit an ABA Big Day 
Report Form. Teams can be any size, but ABA rules require that the entire 
team be in one vehicle, and that each observer remain in voice contact with 
the rest of the team. Practically, this limits the team to five. The ABA 
Rules and forms can be obtained from the ABA website <A 
HREF="http://66.39.95.6/publications/miscbdyru.htm";>
http://66.39.95.6/publications/miscbdyru.htm</A>  Follow with clicks on Big 
Day Reports and Big Day Rules. 

In addition to the ABA rules, there are several other rules for this 
competition.

1.  The count Area is limited to Mobile and Baldwin Counties.

Since the vast majority of Alabama's birds have been seen in these two 
counties, and the standing record was set in them, this is not much of an 
obstacle.

2.  At least ten (10) sites on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail must be 
visited.

Since the trail includes more than 40 of the best birding sites in the State, 
this also should not be a problem.  Visit <A 
HREF="http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/";>
http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/</A>  for a series of PDF documents 
that show maps for the whole trail and for individual loops.

3.  ABA rules stipulate any 24-hour period on a single calendar day may be 
used for the count. For ACBT count, that period must be between 12:01 am, 
Friday, April 12 and 11:59 pm, Saturday, April 20. 

Migration will already be underway, and yet there will still be some 
lingering winter birds.

4.  There will be two classes recognized for the competition, youth, under 
20, and adult, 20 and over. Modest prizes will be awarded to the highest 
accepted team count in each class.

5.  There will be a $10.00 registration fee to cover incidental expenses and 
an ACBT, 2002 Big Day Tee shirt. Any funds remaining after these are paid 
will be used for future improvements to the Trail.

6.  You may also register on line and pay your registration fee by credit 
card. The ABA Rules and Reports go to ABA Report & Rules.pdf. For online 
registration, go to Registration.htm. You may see the currently registered 
teams and member birders at Big Day Teams. If you register on line you can 
pick up your Tee shirt when you arrive. 

7.  You may also register at the Gulf Coast Visitors Center, on Alabama 182 
between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. If you want to register on Dauphin 
Island, call John Porter at 251-861-2120 or email at dibirder@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
For personal registration at these two sites you will receive The ABA Rules 
and Report Form, a Tee shirt and registration form. 

Take up the Challenge!  Can you beat the record? Can you have fun trying?

Register Now at "<A HREF="http://coastalbirding.org/";>
http://coastalbirding.org/";</A>><A HREF="http://coastalbirding.org";>">(So 
John will know how many dozen Tee shirts to order)"</A>

Come join us and see some good birds!

Carolyn Snow 
Montgomery, AL

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