Hello OG members!
I thought Chuck Berthoud's note was a great reminder to all of us to practice
citizen science and share our sightings on eBird.
Also, two reminders:
(1) Our next meeting is Monday, January 8, ***at Tracy Gee Community Center,
3599 Westcenter Drive*** - NOT at Bayland Park. This is probably the only
meeting of the year that will be in a different location. As a reminder, Tracy
Gee is where we held our January 2016 meeting; it's near Beltway 8 and Richmond
Ave.
At 6:30, we will hold our annual CBC review, with lots of raffle prizes for all
of you who participated in any of the Christmas Bird Counts.At 7:15, our
program will be given by David Sarkozi, a review of his 2017 TEXAS BIG YEAR.
This is certainly going to be interesting to anyone who enjoys birding in
Texas. Join us. Bring snacks to share, if you like.
(2) 2018 dues are due, and the rate remains the same! $20 for individuals, $30
for families. Dues
Please bring a check or cash to the next meeting, or mail them to OG membership
secretary to Michael Honig.
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Dues
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Happy New Year!
Nina
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Chuck Berthoud <cbpabirds@xxxxxxxxx>
To: texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2017 12:26 PM
Subject: [texbirds] eBird challenges for 2018
Hello texbirders,
To start out the new year, the eBird Challenge for January is to get in
the habit of daily submitting a checklist—one for each day of the month.
For each monthly Challenge there is a prize of a new pair of Zeiss
Conquest HD 8x42 binoculars, $969 on Amazon, right now. January’s
Challenge is a setup to get on pace for the Checklist-a-day Challenge
for the entire year. Three committed birders who submit at least one
checklist each day during 2018 will be selected for an unnamed prize.
More about the year long challenge later.
January’s eBird Challenge brings in a new year of birding. There is a
new Challenge each month designed to improve birding skills, become
familiar with new technology and improve the quality of bird sightings
in their massive worldwide database. Eligible checklists must contain an
exact count or a good estimate of every species observed. Xs should not
be used. This is a good opportunity learn to use your smartphone better
as several of the 2017 Challenges require submitting checklists using
eBird Mobile. Recorded audio and pictures were required for a couple of
monthly Challenges this past year. One of the easiest Challenges is to
submit just 5 checklists on the second Saturday in May. These sightings
are part of the annual Global Big Day.
The Checklist-a-day will be the best chance to win a prize as fewer
birders will be willing or able to submit 365 consecutive checklists.
The Challenge reveals that the eBird database is best built on the
volume of smaller and shorter checklists. Checklists from your doorstep,
feeders or the parking lot are welcomed. A minimum time spent of 3
minutes is suggested.
For more information read the three new articles on the eBird.org Home page.
Chuck Berthoud
717 608-2614
Spring Grove, PA
Wintering in Huntsville and Friendswood, Texas
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