Trip Calendar

This is the planned trip list for the remainder of the year as of 5-15-11.

2011 Big Year Itinerary Summary

15 Responses to Trip Calendar

Terry says:

January 23, 2011 at 9:12 AM

I know you missed Eurasian Wigeon in CA. I’m not sure if you have other possibilities on your planned trips, but we have this Code 3 bird on the golf course in Flagstaff. This is his 4th year and he is “easy”. He is with perhaps 200 American Wigeon, grazing on the fairway, with a preferred spot near the clubhouse! On past year’s history, he is unlikely to go anywhere unless snow covers the ground and none is forecast for the next 10 days. Enjoying your blog updates. Good birding!
Timothy Barksdale says:

February 2, 2011 at 4:19 AM

HI John,

I know you will have many to call on to help your Big Year move forward, but I offer my help as well.

In 1975, I attempted one and fell short of Kaufmann’s record by less than 35 species. That was less than the one planned trip to Alaska would have netted. I was over 600 by June 1st, but the news a few days later, that my first wife Katie was PREGNANT….. effectively ended my year. I found 2 first state records in 1967 so that began to make a recovery on a personal birding level.

Obviously, since those days there have been many refinements in the strategy of the BIg Year. Don mentioned you were flying out to some location for a single tick and I wish you well on that. Budget for quick plane flights will be important. Spending time in Alaska, Florida, Texas and Arizona will be essential as well. There are some locations like Freezeout Lake in Montana where some species like Eurasian Wigeon are so easy in March one should not waste the resources on flights for them. But I suspect you already know this.

Anyway, feel free to call upon my peabrain to assist in any way.
All my Best,

Tim

I st
John Vanderpoel says:

February 2, 2011 at 8:54 AM

Thanks greatly, Tim. I’m quickly coming to realize that I need to not just accept help when offered for this “Big Year” but seek out help.
Susan Foster says:

March 20, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Couldn’t find your card, so am posting information here.

Glenda Barrera

Edward Herbst – La Laja Ranch (Zapata County located just after Dolores Creek heading North). Contact Raul Delgado at 956-763-7624 or Susan Foster 956-337-4011 to get on ranch. Owner charges $20 per person.
janna Tyrer says:

April 15, 2011 at 8:07 AM

Hi John,
I’m sure enjoying your big year. Your photos are fantastic.
Shonna wants to know if you are coming to Homer? She lives up there, you know, and sees lots of cool shorebirds in the summer.

Hope to cross paths with you this summer, literally, maybe another hike? (maybe not such a strenuous one, my ankles still hurt from last summer!)
Your friend,
Janna Banana
Wes Hatch says:

April 30, 2011 at 7:08 AM

There is a Male Garganey in Fernald Preserve, Cincinnati, Ohio right now if you want to give chase. Found April 29th and is still being seen as of 9:00 am this morning April 30th.
John Vanderpoel says:

April 30, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Wes,

Thanks so much for this info. It’s the right time of the year for this bird. Does it appear to be wild?

JWV
Wes Hatch says:

May 2, 2011 at 9:27 AM

Bird appears to be wild. Has been seen hanging out with Blue-winged Teal. Does not have any bands and is able to fly. It is a beautiful bird, life bird for me! Good luck if you want to chase. Still being seen as of this morning May 2nd.

Wes
Wes Hatch says:

May 9, 2011 at 1:41 PM

Hey John,

Here is the website that gives the direction for Fernald Preserve which is where the Garganey is being seen. http://www.ohiobirds.org/birdingsites/showsite.php?Site_ID=113

If the bird is not being seen in the public ponds, I have heard the people that work at the nature center/museum have been very helpful and have been taking people to the restricted ponds.

As for Cerulean Warblers there have been posted reports on ebird in the past 2 days of sightings in the Miami Whitewater Forest closer to the intersection of W Rd and Dry Fork Rd.

Hope this helps, if you need anymore information I am glad to help you out.

Good Luck!

Wes
Monte says:

September 19, 2011 at 11:00 PM

HI John,
Hope you are still ticking away! Have you had a chance to read my email and correct the disparity between my ABA Life and ABA Photo?
Let me know how things are and where you’re headed next.
Monte
Dallas Hart says:

December 14, 2011 at 10:10 AM

Hello Mr. Vanderpoel,
Hope your Big Year is going great! Can we be expecting you again this month for your grand finale? We sure hope so. We’ve had a bit of rain, which is deeply needed.
We at Neal’s just wanted to wish you much luck on your Big Year!
Dallas Hart
John Vanderpoel says:

December 14, 2011 at 2:35 PM

Hi Dallas,

I would love to see you folks again. Now go find that Tufted Flycatcher for me.

Thanks,

JWV
Skip Russell says:

December 17, 2011 at 1:45 PM

Hey John, I just stumbled across your blog. I had no idea you were doing a Big Year. What a great adventure! Dang, you’ve seen a lot of good birds! Anyway, wishing you holiday greetings from Portland, and great birding karma for the rest of the year!

Skip
John Vanderpoel says:

December 18, 2011 at 12:57 PM

Thanks, Skip.
Cindy says:

December 28, 2011 at 8:16 AM

Hey John, I hope that your Big Year has turned out to be more than what you were expecting. What a great life experience! Good for you! Maybe we can go birding together when your life calms down. Still looking for the Ptarmigan! Cindy