[TN-Bird] Tennessee Birders by the Numbers: 2011 (Vol. 7)
- From: kbreault <kbreault@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 13:47:45 -0700 (PDT)
Tennessee Birders by the Numbers: 2011 (Vol. 7)
Welcome to Tennessee Birders by the Numbers (TBN) report for 2011. The year
ending on December 31, 2011 was a noteworthy one for Tennessee birders with
strong performances in many areas including the Tennessee list and the annual
Tennessee (Big Years) list. And this report includes the all-time Tennessee Big
Years (1988-2011), the "official" list superseding the temporary one I sent out
in January, 2012. Additional material includes the all-time annual World list,
the all-time Total Ticks list, the annual Total Ticks list for 2011, the list
for what I have been calling our "Local Group," and evidence that the effect of
the recession on the ABA may be over.
For those new to the TBN the data involved are from the previous year, in this
case 2011, and any increases in 2012 are of course not included. That means
that
even if you had a great spring migration in 2012 (e.g., my trip to the Canadian
Maritimes), that information will not be included in this report.
Now, most of you also know that in the past the ABA has not been able to give
us
a quicker turnaround with their "Big Day and List Report" (which is what the
TBN
is based on), but I am very happy to report that things are going to change
dramatically very soon. No longer will we have to wait six or seven months
(eight months this year) for the previous year's results. Beginning sometime
this year the ABA "Big Day and List Report" will be on an interactive web site.
You will be able to manage your lists at any time and results (postings) will
be
immediately available. The methodology will be similar to Surfbirds and lists
currently not available will be added. For example, lists for all U.S. and
Canadian counties will be available. For those who have been frustrated by
the current methodology (and I don't know any birder who liked it), your time
has definitely come (or will soon...at least we can only hope).
As noted every year TN birders excel in many relevant statistics related to the
game of birding and in one listing game in particular we have been leaders year
in and year out. Thus we begin with Total Ticks.
I. Total Ticks: States/Provinces by Total Ticks Birders
The ABA's Total Ticks list is where you record the total species seen in states
(but not Hawaii), DC, Canadian provinces, and the French islands of St. Pierre
&
Miquelon (located just south of the island of Newfoundland), with a threshold
of
at least 4,000 total birds in these areas, i.e., you need to have identified
4,000 birds to be on the list. Last year (2010) we ranked first and I am
delighted to say that this year we rank first again. This is the third year out
of the last seven in which we have been at the highest rank on Total Ticks.
Only
Michigan has had as many number one rankings.
1. TENNESSEE (10 birders)
3.-t Colorado (9)
3.-t Massachusetts (9)
6.-t California (8)
6.-t Michigan (8)
6.-t New York (8)
8.-t Florida (7)
8.-t Texas (7)
10.-t Indiana (6)
10.-t Virginia (6)
12.-t Rhode Island (4)
12.-t Washington (4)
19.-t British Columbia (3)
19.-t Illinois (3)
19.-t Maryland (3)
19.-t North Carolina (3)
19.-t Oregon (3)
19.-t Pennsylvania (3)
19.-t Vermont (3)
The TN total tickers for 2011 are: David Chaffin, 11,309 (7-ABA rank), Kevin
Breault, 9,286 (15), Rick Waldrop 8,842 (21),
Tommie Rogers, 7,617 (37), John Henderson, 7,216 (40), Daniel Jacobson, 6,593
(53), Dollyann Myers, 5,879 (71), Ron Hoff, 4474 (109), Gail Clendenen, 4391
(116), and Steve Clendenen, 4,387 (117).
II. States/Provinces by ABA Area Birders
The major ABA list, the "ABA Area" includes all the states (but again not HI),
DC, Canadian provinces, St. Pierre & Miquelon and adjacent waters, with a
threshold of 500 species. As in some previous years this list does not control
for population size or other variables. For 2009 we ranked 15th, it 2010 we
ranked 13th, and now in 2011 we rank 12th.
1. California (63 birders)
2. Texas (52)
3. Floria (47)
4. Michigan (41)
5. Colorado (40)
6. North Carolina (34)
8.-t Arizona (32)
8.-t Massachusetts (32)
9. Maryland (29)
10. Washington (26)
12.-t New York (25)
12.-t TENNESSEE (25)
13. Virginia (23)
14. New Jersey (22)
16.-t Oregon (21)
16.-t Pennsylvania (21)
17. Illinois (20)
Our 25 TN birders on the ABA Area list for 2011 are: Benton Basham (876 with an
amazing rank of 2 among all ABA birders), David Chaffin (811 with a very strong
rank of 22), John Henderson (767-71), Dolyann Myers (761-86), Daniel Jacobson
(760-87), Tommie Rogers (754), Kevin Calhoon (750), Clyde Blum (739), Rick
Waldrop (738), Rick Knight (713), Carol Fegarido (710), Kathy Jacobson (710),
Gail & Steve Clendenen (705), Terry Witt (663), Jeff Wilson (659), Ron Hoff
(651), Michael Todd (650), Kevin Breault (643), Francis Fekel (611), Bill
Pulliam (609), Mike O'Malley (593), Peter Capobianco (569), Gail King (566),
and
Darrel Wilder (533). Congratulations to Peter Capobianco and Darrel Wilder for
joining the list for the first time! Congratulations also to Michael Todd who
had the highest percentage increase from the previous year, 2.36%!
III. TN Birders on State/Province Lists Other than Tennessee
Many TN birders are on the lists for other states/provinces. Last year 19
birders were included with a total of 31 states and provinces. This reporting
year, 2011, 21 birders were included with 36 states and provinces. Note that
each state and Canadian province has a requirement of 50% of species
identified.
The following table provides TN birders by the number of states/provinces at
the
50% threshold, and the specific states/provinces ranked first among TN birders.
Thus in 2011, as has been the case for many years, David Chaffin is first on
the
list with 50% or more in 24 states/provinces, and in nine states/provinces is
first among all TN birders. Finally, note that the number of states/provinces
on
this list does not include TN--all the birders on this list are also on the TN
list and have reached the TN threshold.
1. David Chaffin (24 states/provinces), AK, IN, KY, ME MI, OK PA, SD WV (#1
among TN birders in these states)
2. Rick Waldrop (18), MD, MN, ND, VA
3. Tommie Rogers (13), FL, IA, KS, MO, NE
4. Kevin Calhoon (12), OH, SC
5. Kevin Breault (9), IL, VT, MB
7.-t John Henderson (8)
7.-t Daniel Jacobson (8), GA, NY
8. Clyde Blum (7)
9. Carol Fegarido (6), CA
10. Jeff Wilson (5), AL, AR, MS
11. Bill Pulliam (4), CO
15.-t Gail Clendenen (3), AZ
15.-t Steve Clendenen (3)
15.-t Francis Fekel (3), NJ
15.-t Rick Knight (3), LA, NC, TX
18.-t Peter Capobianco (2), MA, RI
18.-t Ron Hoff (2)
18.-t Thomas McNeil (2)
21.-t Kathy Jacobson (1)
21.-t Gail King (1)
21.-t Dollyann Myers (1)
IV. Canada
Like last year there are no TN birders on the Canada list. We miss you Robert
Odear!
V. Lower Forty-Eight
As indicated this list includes all the states with the exception of Alaska and
Hawaii. Empirically, the list is highly correlated with the ABA Area list. Our
top leaders for 2011 are David Caffin at 741, Tommie Rogers at 730, Kevin
Calhoon at 722, and John Henderson and Daniel Jacobson both at 720, with ranks
of 29, 37, 45 and 51, respectively.
VI. United States
Our 2011 TN birders on this list are David Chaffin at 824, John Henderson
(802),
Daniel Jacobson (791), Clyde Blum (776), Kevin Calhoon (773), Rick Waldrop
(759), Dollyann Myers (755), Tommie Rogers (753), Kathy Jacobson (735), Carol
Fegarido (722), Gail & Steve Clendenen (705), Michael Todd (689), Terry Witt
(683), Jeff Wilson (659), Francis Fekel (657), Kevin Breault (643), Mike
O'Malley (631), Bill Pulliam (609), Gail King (576), Peter Capobianco (567),
Darrel Wilder (533), and Gary Brunvoll (528).
VII. AOU Areas
There was some confusion at the ABA regarding three lists related to the
AOU Area, the previously available list, the "AOU Area" and two new lists, "AOU
North" and "AOU South". (AOU stands for the American Ornithological Union,
established in 1883, and the AOU Area is that covered by the AOU checklist of
North American birds, and includes North & Central America and island groups
like Hawaii.) My understanding is that birders either recorded their results on
the previously available list or on one of the other two lists making for some
confusion on all three. For these reasons I have not included AOU results in
this report. I'm sure the issue will be sorted out next time around.
VIII. Mexico
In 2011 the TN birders on this list are Dollyann Myers (714-rank 25), Daniel
Jacobson (688-34), Clyde Blum (586-65), Rick Waldrop (567-79), Gail King
(558-81), Gary Brunvoll (484), Kevin Calhoon (483), David Chaffin (482), John
Henderson (481), and Ron Hoff (454).
IX. Central America
The TN birders on the Central America list are Rick Waldrop with 884 birds and
a
very nice ranking of 11, followed by Dollyann Myers (691-37), Ron Hoff
(628-60),
and Terry Witt (617-66).
X. West Indies/Caribbean
Like last year the two birders on the 2011 list are Rick Waldrop (291-26) and
Dollyann Myers (195-80).
XI. Europe & Western Palearctic
Again no TN birders are on this list.
XII. Asia
For 2011, Ron Hoff is our number #1 TN birder with 1,776 birds and a ranking of
16, followed by Dollyann Myers (1,739-18), Terry Witt (1,465-29), Rick Waldrop
(886-69), and David Chaffin (787-89).
XIII. World
My favorite list and one, unfortunately, I will likely never be on! This year
Dollyann Myers has 7,675 birds with a great ranking of 14 (an increase of 226
birds and 3 ranks!), followed closely by Ron Hoff (7,569-16), Terry Witt
(6,259-45), Rick Waldrop (4,886-105), David Chaffin (2,925), Kevin Calhoon
(2,112), Michael Todd (1,744), Jeff Wilson (1,669), and Clyde Blum (1,658). I
think we can all agree that ranking 14th and 16th in the world on anything is a
major accomplishment!
XIV. North America
Rick Waldrop has 1,664 birds on this list at an impressive rank of 8, followed
by Dollyann Myers (1,506-27), Ron Hoff (1,321-66), Terry Witt (1,317-68), Jeff
Wilson (1,294-83), David Chaffin (1,280-86), Daniel Jacobson (1,176), Kevin
Calhoon (1,172), John Henderson (1,159), Tommie Rogers (1,147), Clyde Blum
(1,001), Gary Brunvoll (905), Gail King (856), and Michael Todd (846).
XV. South America
Our TN birders on this list for 2011 are Ron Hoff & Dollyann Myers both with
2,415 birds and a rank of 11, followed by Rick Waldrop (2,195-29), and Terry
Witt (2,074-42).
XVI. Africa
On this list we have Ron Hoff with 1,557 birds and a rank of 19, followed by
Dollyann Myers (1,556-20), Terry Witt (1,287-42), and Rick Waldrop (825).
XVII. Australasia
The two TN birders on this list for 2011 are Dollyann Myers and Ron Hoff with
977 and 968 birds, and ranks of 8 and 9, respectively.
XVIII. Eurasia
Here for 2011 we have Ron Hoff (1,977-14), Dollyann Myers (1,967-16), Terry
Witt
(1,560-30), Rick Waldrop (1,078-57), and David Chaffin (932-82).
XIX. Atlantic Ocean
As on the previous year, Mike O'Malley is the only TN birder on this list with
66 birds and a rank of 30.
XX. Pacific Ocean
We now have four TN birders on this list: Dollyann Myers (351-21), Ron Hoff
(337-23), Francis Fekel (160-95), and Rick Waldrop (105).
XXI. Indian Ocean
On this list Ron Hoff and Dollyann Myers have a very stong standing with 250
and
241 birds, and a ranking of 5 and 9, respectively.
XXII. South Polar Region
Mike O'Malley with 25 birds and a ranking of 78 is the only TN birder on this
list.
XXIII. Millennium List
This list includes all the birders who have been the most active re the ABA
Area
list since the century began (specifically, the ABA Area for the 21st century).
First on the list is Clyde Blum with 713 birds and a strong rank of 16,
followed
by Carol Fegarido (697-23), Tommie Rogers (684-32), Gail & Steve Clendenen
(664-42), David Chaffin (663-45), Michael Todd (647-55), Daniel Jacobson
(632-62), John Henderson (629-64), and Kevin Breault (530-109).
XXIV. Photographed-ABA Area
Michael Todd is our number #1 TN birder on this list with 602 birds and a rank
of 21, followed by Clyde Blum (599-23), Jeff Wilson (596-24), Peter Capobianco
(478-58), Mike O'Malley (425-73), and Tim Jeffers (291). Congratulations to
Peter Capobianco and Tim Jeffers for joining the list for the first time! Note
that Peter has been on the list previously from the state of RI.
XXV. Photographed-World
A fine standing for Ron Hoff with 3,422 birds photographed in the world and a
rank of 4, followed by Michael Todd (1,335-13).
XXVI. World Families
As you might expect, in world families Ron Hoff and Dollyann Myers rule the
(TN)
roost with 223 and a ranking of 14, followed by Rick Waldrop (166), David
Chaffin (153), Gail King (108), Clyde Blum and Gary Brunvoll (107), and John
Henderson (103). Note to self: how many families do I have and would my wife
have a problem with it?
XXVII. All Territories & Provinces
This list is similar to the Total Ticks list and combines all the
territories/provinces in Canada. For many years Robert Odear was on the list,
but for 2011 the only TN birder currently on the list is David Chaffin with
1,059 and a rank of 31. If you are wondering if I will be on this list for 2012
given my recent Maritime trip the answer is that at this point I am quite close
but no cigar.
XXVIII. Canadian Provinces
And for many years Robert Odear was the only TN birder on any of the lists for
the Canadian Provinces mainly for his many trips to Churchill on the Hudson Bay
in Manitoba. Currently, I am the only TN birder on these lists with a somewhat
lower standing with 199 birds and a rank of 48 for Manitoba, one of the best
places to bird in the ABA area.
XXIX. Annual Lists
Kevin Calhoon, Tommie Rogers and Carol Fegarido are on the 2011 ABA Area annual
list with 465, 402, and 274, respectively. Carol Fegarido is on the Annual
Lower
48 list with 274 birds and a rank of 42, and Tommie Rogers is on the Annual
United States list with 401 birds at a rank of 27.
XXX. Annual List for Tennessee
This is the list that gives us the TN Big Years. For 2011 (and see below for
the
all-time list), the results are: Jeff Wilson with 290 birds and a rank of one,
followed by our own State Ornithologist, Scott Somershoe (288-2), Terry Witt
(265-3), Michael Todd (241-4), Kevin Calhoon (234-5), Francis Fekel (222-6),
Tommie Rogers (218-7), John Henderson (217-8), David Chaffin (216-9), and Carol
Fegarido (172-10).
XXXI. TN List
Given the size of the state, the Tennessee list is quite impressive although
not
as impressive as it may seem at first glance! If you received the ABA List
Report you will have seen that for 2011 David Deifik from NH is first on the
list with 404 birds and James Haw out of IN is third with 378. I'm sure Jeff
and
many others were wondering about Deifik (a good ABA Area birder), and Haw (a
longstanding and high ranking total ticker), so this is the skinny: neither
Deifik or Haw are on the 2011 list for the state of Texas but both are on the
Texas list for 2010 with 404 and 378 birds, respectively. Thus, Deifik and Haw
either made a mistake on the reporting form or the ABA (and I think that's more
likely) made coding errors. What that simply means is that Jeff Wilson is still
happily first in TN with 388 birds, followed by: Daniel Jacobson (365-2), Clyde
Blum and John Henderson (360-3), Michael Todd (359-5), Kathy Jacobson and Terry
Witt (348-6), Dollynn Myers (347-8), David Chaffin (346-9), Kevin Calhoon
(344-10), Tommie Rogers (343-11), Rick Knight (338-12), Ron Hoff (334-13),
Gail & Steve Clendenen (327-14), Rick Waldrop (324-16), Francis Fekel (316-17),
Scott Somershoe (300-18), Thomas McNeil (295-19), Carol Fegarido (293-20),
Kevin
Breault (281-21), Mike O'Malley (277-22), Bill Pulliam (269-23), Gail King
(267-24), Darrel Wilder (247-30), Gary Brunvoll (246-31), Tim Jeffers (227-36),
Rebekah Chaffin (223-37), and Peter Capobianco (205-43). Congratulations are in
order for Darrel Wilder, Tim Jeffers, and Peter Capobianco for joining the TN
list for the first time!
XXXII. Miscellaneous
A. All-time Annual Tennessee List
We had the temporary list in January so this is the "official" all-time Big
Years for TN to 50 ranking places.
Tennessee Big Years, 1988-2011 (birds-year)
1. Jeff Wilson (307-2002)
3.-t Jeff Wilson (298-1994)
3.-t Jeff Wilson (298-2005)
4. Rebecca Satterfield (296-1993)
6.-t Jeff Wilson (290-2011)
6.-t Jeff Wilson (290-1990)
8.-t Michael Todd (289-2002)
8.-t Jeff Wilson (289-1996)
9. Scott Somershoe (288-2011)
11.-t Jeff Wilson (286-1989)
11.-t Jeff Wilson (286-2003)
13.-t Jeff Wilson (284-2000)
13.-t Jeff Wilson (284-2001)
14. Jeff Wilson (283-2004)
15. Gail & Steve Clendenen (281-2006)
18.-t Damien Simbeck (278-1988)
18.-t Jeff Wilson (278-2007)
18.-t Jeff Wilson (278-2009)
20.-t Jeff Wilson (275-2008)
20.-t Jeff Wilson (275-2010)
21. Michael Todd (273-2009)
22. Jeff Wilson (272-1999)
23. Mark Greene (271-2006)
24. Jeff Wilson (270-1988)
25. Jeff Wilson (269-1992)
27.-t Michael Todd (268-2005)
27.-t Jeff Wilson (268-2006)
28. Bonnie Johnson (267-2001)
29. Jeff Wilson (266-1998)
34.-t Mark Greene (265-2000)
34.-t Dollyann Myers (265-1989)
34.-t Judy Newsome (265-2001)
34.-t Michael Todd (265-2008)
34.-t Terry Witt (265-2011)
36.-t Mark Greene (264-1996)
36.-t Bonnie Johnson (264-2000)
37. Jeff Wilson (263-1991)
41.-t Kevin Calhoon (262-2000)
41.-t Mark Greene (262-2002)
41.-t Michael Todd (262-2003)
41.-t Jeff Wilson (262-1997)
42. Jeff Wilson (261-1995)
45.-t Mark Greene (257-1995)
45.-t Mark Greene (257-1998)
45.-t Mark Greene (257-2005)
46. Mark Greene(255-1997)
47. Michael Todd (254-2004)
50.-t Judy Newsome (253-2000)
50.-t Michael Todd (253-2000)
50.-t TerryWitt (253-2005)
Thus, of the top 50 places 23 are held by Jeff Wilson, or 46%. More
importantly,
in the top 15 places, Jeff owns 11 or 73.3%. In a word, amazing! Now, it would
be interesting to see if anyone else even comes close to Jeff's dominance in
any
other state or province--perhaps a project for next year.
B. All-time Annual World List
The most popular list among competitive ABA birders is the ABA Area list, but
at
least for my taste the most important list is the World list in which Dollyann
Myers and Ron Hoff lead all TN birders. And so I began to wonder about the
World
list and if it was possible to calculate the all-time World Big Years. Note
places 45 and 49 on the following list:
All-Time Annual World List, 1988-2011
1. 7,865 George Winter, MO, 2006
2. 6,391 John Nagstaff, UK, 2003
3. 3,630 James Clements, CA, 1989
4. 3,110 Stephen Bailey, CA, 2007
5. 2,817 Kim Risen, MN, 2004
6. 2,785 Derek Scott, UK, 1998
7. 2,753 Ian Sinclair, S. Africa, 2004
8. 2,734 David Fisher, UK, 2007-- currently18 on World list (7,500)
9. 2,665 David Fisher, UK, 2004
10. 2,630 David Fisher, UK, 2006
11. 2,619 Nancy Bittner, CA, 2004
12. 2,615 David Fisher, UK, 2005
13. 2,609 David Fisher, UK, 2000
14. 2,552 David Fisher, UK, 1991
15. 2,551 Nancy Bittner, CA, 2001
16. 2,550 David Fisher, UK, 2010
17. 2,540 David Fisher, UK, 2001
18. 2,529 Eugenia Carey, FL, 2001
19. 2,418 David Fisher, UK, 1992
20. 2,409 David Fisher, UK, 1997
21. 2,363 Tom Gullick, Spain, 1994--1 on World list (8,942)
22. 2,345 Richard Wilt, AZ, 2000
23. 2,287 Martin Edwards, ON, 1998, 2002--4 on World list (8,449)
24. 2,261 Ian Sinclair, 2008, S. Africa
25. 2,257 Mike Haldeman, PA, 2002
26. 2,252 John Danzenbaker, NJ, 1989
27. 2,230 James Plyler, PA, 1992
28. 2,215 David Fisher, UK, 1990
29. 2,195 David Fisher, UK, 1989
30. 2,180 David Fisher, UK, 2003
31. 2,170 Martin Edwards, ON, 2007
32. 2,148 Donald Woolfenden, NJ, 1998
33. 2,125 Ian McGregor, WA, 2010
34. 2,114 David Fisher, UK, 1995
35. 2,063 Claes-Goran Cederlund, 2008--5 on World list (8,402)
36. 2,059 Ian Sinclair, S. Africa, 2000
37. 2,044 Carol Masterson, CA, 2001
38. 2,034 Joe Thompson, CA, 1996
39. 2,022 Matt Denton, TX, 2006
40. 2,010 PhilipRostron, TX, 2005--3 on World list (8,601)
41. 2,006 Josep Del Hoyo, Spain, 2005--19 on World list (7,383)
42. 2,004 Ron Johns, UK, 1999
43. 2,002 Ron Johns, UK, 1998
44. 1,988 David Klauber, NY, 2005
45. 1,975 DOLLYANN MYERS, TN, 2006--14 on World list (7,675)
46. 1,972 Paul Coopmans, Belgium, 1994
47. 1,966 James Plyler, PA, 1997
48. 1,965 Claes-Goran Cederlund, Sweden, 2006
49. 1,964 RON HOFF, TN, 2006--16 on World list (7,569)
50. 1.957 Hans Journall, Sweden, 2003--8 on World list (8,230)
C. All-time (ever published) Total Ticks
My own interest in competitive birding is mainly Total Ticks and I have noted
that for various reasons birders who had once been on the Total Ticks list are
no longer on it. Among other things total tickers tend to be old guys like me
and the ABA does not include records after death, and in general if you don't
sent in a result you will not be listed. However, it is possible to calculate a
Total Ticks list that includes all those who have ever been on the list. So the
following is the list for all-time Total Ticks. David Chaffin leads TN birders
followed by Kevin Breault and Rick Waldrop.
All-Time Total Ticks, 1988-2011 (and year of last report)
1. 17,808 Paul Lehman, 2009
2. 15,760 Deuane Hoffman, 2007
3. 15,594 Kenneth Ward, 2011
4. 13,475 Thomas Heatley, 2011
6.-t 13,111 Ethan Greenspan, 2011
6.-t 13,111 Sara Greenspan, 2011
7. 12,990 Jon Dunn, 2006
8. 12,209 Cecil Kersting, 2011
9. 12,107 Michael Resch, 2011
10. 11,309 DAVID CHAFFIN, 2011
11. 11,262 Richard Rosche, 2011
12. 11,175 Jeffrey Sanders, 2011
13. 10,921 Stephen Dinsmore, 2010
14. 10,146 Leif Anderson, 2011
15. 10,138 Robin Carter, 2007
16. 9,700 Don Chalfant, 2011
17. 9,679 Karl Overman, 2011
18. 9,588 Caroline Eastman, 2007
19. 9,444 Edwin Smith, 2011
20. 9,387 Kenneth Brock, 2003
21. 9,328 Robert Walton, 2011
22. 9,286 KEVIN BREAULT, 2011
23. 9,278 Vincent McGrath, 2011
24. 9,226 Jay Withgott, 2011
25. 9,216 Christine Sidler, 2011
26. 9,214 David Narins, 2011
27. 9,039 James Beard, 2010
28. 8,956 James Haw, 2011
29. 8,842 RICK WALDROP, 2011
31.-t 8,673 Greg Butcher, 2011
31.-t 8,673 Shirley Smith, 2011
D. Annual Total Ticks, 2011
Every year I try to calculate the number of Total Ticks in the year so this is
the result for 2011. Note that in order to be included on this list you must
have had a published Total Ticks result for the previous year, in this case
2010. As indicated, TN birders did well this year with three of us placing in
the top 20, Tommie Rogers, John Henderson and Kevin Breault. In past years
David
Chaffin and Robert Odear have also been on the annual list.
Total Ticks for 2011
1. 635 Bernard Morris (PA)
2. 600 Charles Mills (IN)
3. 576 Jay Withgott (OR)
4. 548 Joe Cox (TX)
5. 447 Larry Haugh (VT)
6. 417 TOMMIE ROGERS (TN)
7. 415 Steven Matherly (TX)
8. 393 Robert Bieda (MA)
9. 359 Michael Gochfield (NJ)
10. 341 Steven Brown (CO)
11. 321 JOHN HENDERSON (TN)
12. 303 Roger Clark (NM)
13. 269 KEVIN BREAULT (TN)
14. 268 Leif Anderson (AR)
15. 265 Michael Resch (MA)
16. 249 Nancy Laframboise (FL)
17. 243 Bill Laframboise (FL)
18. 242 Robert. Ekblad (MN)
19. 238 Bert Frenz (TX)
20. 235 Joyce Bathke (VA)
E. The Local Group
For total ticking birders TN is rather well positioned geographically
speaking--and I am sure this is part of the reason why TN is so strongly
represented on the Total Ticks list. Many states (8) are adjacent to TN and if
you add Kentucky to the mix, 11 states are adjacent to TN and KY, with one
other
state (SC) almost adjacent to TN. Thus, for TN and KY there is a kind of "Local
Group" that includes, TN, KY, (and going clockwise), IL, IN, OH, WV, VA, NC,
SC,
GA, AL, MS, AR and MO, a kind of super-regional group of 14 states. It is
therefore possible to calculate Total Ticks for the Local Group. Note that this
list includes only results that have been published by the ABA, i.e., results
that have reached the threshold in the various states. Note that only TN
birders
with at least two of these 14 states at the threshold of 50% were included. And
note also that with the new ABA interactive web site that is coming soon,
thresholds will be a thing of the past and you will be able to record all the
birds you have seen in the Local Group and indeed anywhere else on the planet.
Among other things this should be helpful to beginning birders who may find
thresholds daunting and may be less interested in birding because of them.
Local Group Total Ticks (with states involved)
1. 3,303 Rick Waldrop (TN, KY, IL, IN, OH, WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, AR, MO)
2. 3,140 David Chaffin (TN, KY, IL,IN, WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, AR)
3. 2,448 Kevin Calhoon (TN, KY, OH, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS)
4. 1,888 Tommie Rogers (TN, KY, NC, SC, GA, AL, MO)
5. 1,663 Jeff Wilson (TN, KY, AL, MS, AR)
6. 1,443 Daniel Jacobson (TN, KY, NC, GA, AL)
7. 1,437 John Henderson (TN, KY, NC, GA, AL)
8. 1,433 Kevin Breault (TN, KY, IL, SC, GA, MS)
9. 1,408 Clyde Blum (TN, NC, GA, AL, MS)
10. 836 Bill Pulliam (TN, SC, GA)
11. 808 Thomas McNeil (TN, NC, SC)
12. 754 Carol Fegarido (TN, GA, MS)
13. 722 Rick Knight (TN, NC)
14. 614 Kathy Jacobson (TN, AL)
15. 595 Francis Fekel (TN, AL)
15. 574 Ron Hoff (TN, NC)
16. 497 Gail King (TN, AR)
F. ABA Birders and the Recession
In the TBN 2010 report (Vol. 6), evidence was provided that the recession had
seriously hurt ABA birders. For example, the following is taken from the
previous TBN report: "...if we sum up all the state (and DC) lists we get 2,893
reporting birders in 2005 compared to 2,284 in 2010, a decrease of 609 birders,
or 21%." So where do we stand in 2011? Summing up all the states and DC we get
2,453 reporting birders for 2011, an increase of 169 birders over 2010, or
7.4%.
It would appear that the ABA has turned a corner on the recession. If you are
wondering what happened on the TN list, we had 37 birders in 2010 but 43 in
2011, an increase of 16.2%. Note that the 43 birders on the 2011 TN list was
the
highest number since 2006. And if you are wondering about the Total Ticks list,
the recession seems to have had little effect on it as indicated on the TBN
2010
report (this was also true for international birding which appears to have been
immune from the recession), where the number of total tickers even went up
slightly in 2010 compared to 2005. And that trend seems to be continuing with
now 131 total tickers or an increase since 2005 of 4.8%.
Well, that is it for the TBN 2011 report. Best of luck for 2012! Of course, I
apologize in advance for any errors. Many numbers and calculations were
involved. If I've made a mistake let me know and I'll make the change next
year.
Send me any substantive suggestions and I'll try to include them in the 2012
report. And note that because the ABA is changing to an interactive web site
many additional possibilities come to mind. I am especially interested in the
results for TN counties and the possibility that, as Tommie Rogers once
suggested, we have a Total Ticks list for TN counties.
Of course, you can't list your ABA totals unless you are a member of the
American Birding Association (www.americanbirding.org). I believe the
Individual
and Joint membership will continue to be $45 and $52, and that includes a
subscription to Birding, Winging It and the new interactive web site.
Always be good to birds and generous to birders of all stripe. Good birding and
good totaling!
Kevin Breault
Brentwood, TN
www.mtsu.edu/~kbreault/
Other related posts:
- » [TN-Bird] Tennessee Birders by the Numbers: 2011 (Vol. 7) - kbreault
