Big Year 2015

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.