Big Year plans

Note:  I didn't end up sticking to the big year mentioned below.  This year I've finally gotten to do one, and writing about it at frantic-naturalist.com/bigyear One of my favorite books is 'Big Year' by Mark Obmascik.  It just captures the excitement of birding so nicely.  I don't want to get into the discussion to much about competitive birding.  My simple argument - we are encouraged to be competitive in sport, business and in many other fields.  Do it in a nature related field and suddenly it is wrong?

Anyway, I am planning a Namibian big year for 2010.  The challenge - see as many of Namibia's birds in the calendar year 2010 as what I can.  I don't plan to do strange trips all over the place, perhaps one or two.  Nor do I plan to spend a lot of money on it...but I may.  I'll see how it takes me.  I do plan to have fun doing it and hope to crank up my birding knowledge which really needs some work.

The good thing...as far as competitive birding goes, is that I don't know of anyone who has done a big year before in Namibia.  It may well be that someone has done it?  My main purpose is to re-invent birding for myself.  Well, I will keep you posted when I get started.
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5 comments:

Andy said...

I'm reading Dan Koeppel's "To See Every Bird on Earth", which is even more extreme!

Vernon said...

I'll have to get a copy! Don't plan on doing that any time soon. Thanks for the comment.

holiday in bhutan said...

nice post! keep posting

Peregrine's Bird Blog said...

Vernon You should set up a seperate blog as I do for my bird sightings. So that we can keep up with you!!!
http://peregrinesbirdlist2010.blogspot.com/2009/12/peregrines-bird-list-2010.html

Vernon said...

Okay, I'll set it up and post here to let you know. I have seen Cape Sparrow and Laughing Dove :) I'll do a whole post on the plans. I have followers now, and they want me to do a blog for all of them. We'll have a meeting and get going in earnest when everyone is back in town.