The old year closes tonight, and with it closes another
chapter of Big Year birding.
This year, Charlie Lyon is leading the pack of contenders in
an attempt to regain the lead he held for a decade. When Charlie competed
against Mark Swan in the early 2000s, ground rules were followed to maintain a
level playing field. The rules were based on the honor system because birders don’t
have the wherewithal to document every species they see. Beyond the expected
species, however, rarities that were claimed by competitors had to be
documented and accepted by the Louisiana Bird Records Committee to see that
they were accurately identified. Obviously,
included species had to be on the state checklist so that listers didn't pad
their lists by claiming emus and Muscovies. Such ground rules are standard fare
for Big Years to prevent confusion and disputes.
When Jay Huner was trying to set the Big Year record a few
years ago, it became apparent that the number to beat was a matter of debate
and that there was no checklist available to verify the number. That issue still hasn't been resolved. Some of the birds in the claimed total of 356 aren't
on the state list, and not all of the included rarities were accepted by the
records committee. The obvious conclusion is that the current record is less
than the originally reported 356.
This year the same issue is in play and has to be dealt with
because Charlie has registered a competitive figure—356 species. However, Charlie’s total of 356 for this year
as calculated by eBird is also artificially high because it includes at least
two of the same non-checklist species (Canada Goose and Monk Parakeet) that the
leading list contains. Charlie’s list also contains several rarities that need
to be accepted by the records committee in order to remain countable. Charlie understands that this process comes
with the territory.
The trick now will be to compare lists and see what counts
and what doesn't.
Competitors, feel free to submit your lists and comments.
