Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory did the Big Sit for the 10th straight
year on October 12, 2008 at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch platform. The event,
sponsored by the New Haven Bird Club and Bird Watcher's Digest, is conducted in
almost every state and a few foreign countries, tallying birds from 100+ small
circles on the same day. Despite great weather and 14 sharp-eyed helpers, we
only managed 60 species, which is the lowest total, except for the first
year when we did less than a full day because of a drenching tropical system.
There were very few migrant songbirds around and no shorebirds.
In 2002 we found 63 species, the rest of the years have been 69+ with last
year's 85 our highest. Our average, except for year one is 72.
Thanks to all of our sitters: Harry Armistead, Andrew Odell, Chris and Betsy
Foster, Henrik Wiemar, Bob Anderson, Jethro Runco, Shannon Ehlers, Steve
Thornhill, Thuy Tran, Renee Hudgins, Sheila Scoville and Zach Millen.
Brian Taber
CVWO
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