Dear Birders,

Unlike the past 3 Big Day records we've attempted, the official ABA record for April was really tough! We blame the lack of water in many places, but regardless 191 species is a respectable total to aim for...I don't even know how higher totals have been achieved (those not reported to the ABA include several days around or over 200 species).

Keith Kamper and I were the only two of the 'team members' to give the April Big Day record an all-out attempt. Many thanks to Jake Mohlmann and Dylan Holstein-Radin for joining in on a dry run last weekend. That dry run netted 187 species, but didn't have the 95% species agreement necessary to make it worthy of ABA submission. Keith and I ended up tieing the official record with 191 species this past Saturday, April 29th.


HIGHLIGHTS (in taxonomic, not chronologic order):

LEAST GREBE - Having had no success with quickly locating the Sweetwater Wetlands bird on our last two Big Days, we opted to give up on it entirely this time around and went straight for the Sam Lena bird (with instant success, I might add!) This bird, at the moment, seems incredibly reliable on the small pond closest to Country Club Rd.

WESTERN GREBE - The Avra Valley bird stuck around for us in about the same area of the same pond we saw it in on the dry run. Head and shoulders bigger than just about every other specimen of waterfowl. We also picked up Bank Swallows and Rufous-winged Sparrow here, both of which we missed in March.

TEAL - all three species just before/at dusk on the Santa Cruz just north of the Ina Rd. Bridge. It was here we picked up some calling American Avocets as well.

NORTHERN HARRIER - While these might be more common than they appear this season, we lucked into one while driving by Davis Monthan AFB on the way to missing a Double-crested Cormorant at Lakeside Park. Wouldn't have seen it unless we were en route to our miss - just one of the many quintessential Big Day experiences we had!

FRANKLIN'S GULL - Two individuals at Avra Valley.

OWLS - An expected owl sweep (i.e. no Saw-whets or Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl...but can you really "expect" these?). We did, however, have to divide it up between Carr Canyon in the pre-dawn and the Catalinas in the post-dusk.

HUMMINGBIRDS - "Only" 9 species...good sightings were a Lucifer and Calliope at Mary Jo's in Ash Canyon. Missed the White-eared at Ramsey and the Costa's at Paton's.

GILDED FLICKER - What makes Big Day highlights are not always rarities! This one was a highlight because we were still missing it by late afternoon, so I stared bleary-eyed out the window from about Green Valley onward until I finally spotted one on a Saguaro somewhere in west Tucson. Keith's expert maneuvering to the shoulder made it a 100% shared team sighting. Hey, at 19 hours without sleep...give us a break (haha)!

SWAINSON'S THRUSH - Patagonia Roadside Rest; low in the underbrush not far east of the old Becard nest.


BIG/NOT-SO-BIG MISSES: Shorebirds of any flavor other than the most common; Ruddy Ground-Dove at Kino (others have been seeing them regularly); Elegant Trogon (we know they're back); Thick-billed Kingbird at Patagonia (had 'em last time); Vesper Sparrow; Grasshopper Sparrow; HOODED ORIOLE...why?

Probably out best two common birds were Mountain Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch...also our last two birds, at 10:45PM and 11:09PM respectively. Who knew they called at night when prompted? Actually, the Chickadee *sang* one phrase.

Could we have done better? In a better year, perhaps. Seems like we had a solid route with a lot of solid sightings, but it just didn't add up to the 200+ we'd been somewhat hopeful for. Maybe with a bit of tweaking and a wetter year, a team could eke out another dozen or so species - but it would be tough! Seems like in order to crack the 200 mark everything just has to fall into place perfectly. Best of luck to other teams who try the same!

Good birding,
John Yerger
Persistently 'Adventure Birding'
Tucson, AZ