The 8th annual Kiptopeke Challenge team birding competition and fund-raiser
for Coastal VA Wildlife Observatory was held September 21st and the awards
were given at last Friday's opening meeting of the Birding Festival. Delegate
Bob Bloxom again helped with the presentation of trophies. Team members were
also given OPTECH/USA binocular straps with the Observatory's name printed on
them.
In the 6-hour category for most species found, 2nd place went to the Boy
Scouts, led by David Clark: Kelly Hayes, Kyle Sturggis, Jerad Sturggis,
Jeremy Harris-Smith, Justin Curtz and Sean Thornton. 1st place and the
coveted wooden Buff-breasted Sandpiper statue went to Bob Anderson and CVWO
Hawk Watch Coordinator Zach Smith, who found 98 species, mostly from the
Kiptopeke observation platform.
For most money raised, 1st place and the coveted bronze Piping Plover statue,
from Turner Gallery, went to (as usual) the Wandering Siskins, Kurt Gaskill
and Marc Ribaudo, of the Northern VA Bird Club, who raised more than $3200!
For most species found, in the 24-hour category, 3rd place went to Team
Williamsburg: Tom Armour, Bill Williams, Fenton Day and Brian Taber, who
found 110 species, inlcuding 3 that were new for the event: Eurasian Collared
Dove, Olive-sided Flycatcher and Hooded Warbler.
2nd place went to the Wandering Siskins, who found 123 species.
1st place and the coveted bronze American Woodcock statue, from Turner
Gallery, went to the team of David Hughes, Don Schwab, Tom Gwynn and Charlie
Smith, who found 127 species, including Eurasian Collared Dove, Black Scoter
and Barred Owl, all new for the event ( but they were without a Sharp-shinned
Hawk, Chipping Sparrow or any vireos!!).
Congratulations and thanks to all teams and donors and to others who helped
make this another fun and worthwhile event. More than $6,000 was raised for
research and public education programs of the Observatory.
Information about this and the previous Kiptopeke Challenge events will be
posted on the website at www.cvwo.org.
I am looking for suggestions to increase the number of teams for next year,
to make it even more fun and a more comprehensive survey of birds just as
fall begins. Should the $100 entry fee be dropped? Should teams be allowed to
have a minimum of 2 members, instead of 3? Should there be new categories,
such as for the piedmont and mountains and valleys, not just the coastal
plain?
If you have opinions, please send them to me directly.
Brian Taber
CVWO
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