Greetings All
A little late in the coming but I am in the process of adjusting to life as a
retired, rather than an active, teacher and my timing remains somewhat askew.
I should be near perfect by 1500 hours [3pm] on Friday 25 April [ANZAC Day]
2014, the date of my “official” retirement; given the summer vacation and
long-service leave I haven’t actually been in a classroom since mid-December
2013.
For those involved in Trey Mitchell’s BIRD-A-DAY challenge, last Thursday [when
this should have been posted] was something of at least a minor landmark – the
100th day of the year, 100 different species seen on each day of 2014. Yes, a
gimmick and while I don’t usually involve myself in birding gimmicks I needed a
laugh to herald in my approaching dotage.
As of yesterday [102 birds] there are four of us [Australians] running to form,
another two [including Russell Woodford who made something of a dramatic
comeback onto the lists] are currently only one bird behind but that almost
undoubtedly means that they yet to register their bird for Saturday. A further
two challengers stand on 100 birds with another four Australians toting scores
in the 90s.
On global terms, Mike Hooper of Singapore continues to rule the roost – always
assuming that the top, left-hand spot equates to Numero Uno in the competition.
It is perhaps interesting to note that four of the six challengers around the
world currently sporting 102 birds are Australians [Eleanor Marr of Florida
being the other 102-er].
Mind you, the global composition of the challengers is perhaps worthy of a
comment. In essence, BIRD-A-DAY appears to be fundamentally an America vs
Australia affair – with a few anomalies thrown in for good measure. There is
only one UK entrant, Roy Filleul of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands; the
afore-mentioned Mike Hooper is the sole Singaporean entrant, indeed, the sole
Asian entrant while clicking on “Canada” produces nothing. No Kiwis, no South
Africans or other Europeans.
Who will still be there on 19 July, the 200th day, the 200th different bird?
Cheers
Julian
P.S. those of you kind enough to have followed my inane ramblings through Allen
Road, Birding the South Burnett and even Birding Beyond the Pale [all now
asleep] might like to follow the relentless drivel via Birder at Large:
http://osprey2014.wordpress.com/
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