It’s that time of year again…..fireworks, patriotism, awkward outdoor barbecues with people you know from work. But the real highlight of every 4th? The annual NemesisBird 4th of July Birding challenge. It’s really the highlight of America in general – I’d like to think that this prize-less birding contest is now included in some of our country’s most cherished traditions: … Read More
Global Big Day is May 13
Are you taking part in Global Big Day? The Nemesis Birders are scattered around and will be looking for birds along Lake Ontario, coastal Rhode Island and possibly Alaska! Below is the GBD press release. Let us know where you will be in the comments below! A “big day” is a big deal for people who love to watch birds. … Read More
Fourth Annual 4th of July Birding Challenge!
It’s a big year for the annual Nemesisbird 4th of July Birding Challenge: It’s an election year in the US (in case you have been under a rock for 9 months), it’s the Fourth year of the 4th of July birding challenge, Hamilton the musical swept the Tony Awards, and the sequel to Independence Day is in theaters. What more could … Read More
4th of July Birding Challenge!
2015 will be year 3 of the 4th of July Birding Challenge, and I have to say this year is a special one for your lovely author. I just got back from 5 months of studying birds in Borneo, and while my experiences and birding over in Southeast Asia were truly unforgettable, I would be lying if I said I … Read More
Borneo Big Day
Hank Aaron, Edmund Hillary, Billy Mitchell: record holders and champions of their respective fields. While a big day of birding isn’t exactly the same as reaching the summit of Everest or holding the highest score in Q*bert, the task of racking up as many species as possible in 24 hours can be daunting in its own right. Make the birding location … Read More
4th of July Birding Challenge! Part Deux
Four score and seven birds ago, the 4th of July Birding Challenge was born (actually, it was last year, but who’s counting?). Since it was such a big hit last year, the rules will remain the same, except for one new twist. There will be two categories of champion: One winner for the traditional “Most 4th of July Species”, and … Read More
Boston Public Transportation Big Day
With final exams looming in the week ahead, two other Harvard birders, Harold Eyster and Eamon Corbett, and I decided to attempt big day in the Boston area. For the added challenge, the reduced environmental impact, and the fact that we didn’t have a car, we decided to do our big day by walking and using public transportation. With a … Read More
Birding Cup 2014 Summary
Pennsylvania birder Matt Sabatine, a new addition to this year’s Nemesis Birders line-up for the Shaver’s Creek Birding Cup competition, offers his perspective on the team’s Big Day attempt. Gordon Dimmig provided a few photos he took while birding with us during the afternoon of the Birding Cup. Follow links to eBird checklists! The days leading up to the annual Shaver’s Creek Birding … Read More
Birding Cup 2014 – Support Shaver’s Creek and the Nemesis Birders!
For the third year in a row, the Nemesis Birders are competing in central Pennsylvania’s Birding Cup! This annual birding contest is run by Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center as a fundraiser for their environmental education programs. We are hoping to defend our 1st place title for the third year in a row, and shooting to see at least 150 species throughout the 24 hour … Read More
A March Big Day in Delaware
Last Saturday, Nate Fronk, Alan Kneidel, and I made a run for the March Big Day record for Delaware. We decided that owling in the morning was pointless due to ~20mph winds, so we left Newark around 5:00 AM. After quick stops at Helen’s Sausage House and Wawa, we arrived at the Indian River Inlet shortly after sunrise. Our first … Read More