Happy to Be Home, for a Change

Tomorrow we'll be birding from our tower at Indigo Hill. We hope the tree swallow is still there when we wake up.

Let me be the first to wish you a Happy International Migratory Bird Day (which is Saturday May 13, 2006). For the first time in several years I am going to celebrate it by staying HOME! I won't be in New Jersey for The World Series of Birding, nor will I be up at Magee Marsh with all of Ohio's other avid birders. Nope. It's home for me. But 75% of the Whipple Bird Club will be on hand to try to do a Washington County, Ohio, Big Day (we'll miss you, Sheels!). My record is 105 species, if memory serves. Back in the day we called a Big Day where you were trying for 100 species a Century Day. Here in SE Ohio, we can only get a Century Day in May, when the migrants passing through swell the local bird population.

We'll spend the better part of the day in the birding tower shown in this picture. Then we'll tool casually around Washington County to see what birds we can find. It's delightfully low-key. Weather looks grim, but at least we can always opt to be inside, where there are warm things to eat and drink, and the indoor plumbing is permanent, not portable.

In fewer than 30 minutes, at the stroke of midnight, I'll step out onto my back patio to listen for night birds to start our Big Day list. And I'll tip my cap to those insomniacs in NJ who will just be starting their grueling adventure at the WSB. (Mind you don't lock the keys inside the SUV, kids--NJ locksmiths are muy expensive at 3:30 am). Then I'll step back inside and curl up in my big, warm, comfy bed, until just before dawn.

Happy Spring Migration, y'all! Hope it's birdy wherever you are!