The First Day of Spring
Anchorage Big Birding Day
Another Audubon Cutthroat Competition!
Fri. & Sat, March 22-23, 5pm--5pm AND Fri. & Sat, March 29-30, 5pm--5pm
CHANGES TO THE BIG DAY
Because of record winter snow, we have modified the First Day Of Spring Big Day. The birding challenge will now be from 5:00pm til 5:00pm on:
March 22-23 AND March 29-30. You may do your Big Day on either of those Days.
You may also do a Big Day on BOTH of those days, but Birds may only be counted on the day they are seen. No Birds seen the second week may be added to your first week’s totals.
The advantages to adding the second period are that some migrants (gulls & waterfowl) may be present and weather conditions may be more conducive. If a new species record is set, it may be listed in the records with an asterisk since it will be one week later than previous Spring Big Days. This change will also give us a glimpse into how bird counts change during a short time in early Spring.
It'll soon be Spring, and what better way to celebrate than by scouring the Anchorage Municipality for birds. From Eklutna to Portage--How many species can your team find in 24 hours from 5:00 pm Friday until 5:00 pm Saturday?
It's a Big Day to usher in Spring. Who knows what will turn up? It's simple: Get a team together, make a strategic plan, and go birding. All team members must see all birds counted by the team. (An exception exists for hard-of-hearing team members—Birds may be counted if heard by all team members who do not have hearing problems.)
Bird as much or as little of the 24 hours as you like. See them, hear them, and write them down. Since the First Day of Spring falls in mid-week, who knows what migrants will arrive by the weekend?
Just register your team in advance by emailing flybynightclub at gci dot net Then, just email your team’s results to flybynightclub at gci dot net and results will be emailed and posted.
And there will be a CASH PRIZE!!! One Dollar per species will be awarded to the winning team! Imagine making money by going birding! The winners could make as much as a whopping $35 or $40 for only 24 hours work. That's $1.67 per hour which is more than most birders earn in a lifetime! There's no better way to welcome Spring!
Last year’s winners were Sulli Gibson, Andy Bankert, & David Jadhon who spotted 37 species. The record for species seen by the winning team is held by Sulli Gibson and Andy Bankert who logged 40 species in 2020, but several teams are already plotting their dethronement.
We hope to run into you in the field at all the usual spots.
GET YOUR TEAM TOGETHER NOW!