Peter and I share a contest that only occurs every three years. We call it the Kelly Brothers Birding Championship (KBBC). It is a twelve month Big Year competition between the two of us. Our first go round was in 2013, where Peter won with 84 birds and in 2016 I redeemed myself spotting 112 different species. Today begins the 3rd KBBC.
As you can tell I am wasting no time.
Despite a gray wet morning, between about 7 am and 9:00 am at Bryan Park, I found the –
1. Northern Cardinal
2. Red Bellied Woodpecker
3. Mourning Dove
4. Canada Goose
5. Hooded Merganser
6. Double Crested Cormorant
7. Black Vulture
8. Great Horned Owl
From there I ventured to Three Lakes Park and spotted the Great Blue Heron, Red Shouldered Hawk (who had just made a kill and was devouring brunch), and the Black Capped Chickadee. My third and last stop of the day was Chamberlayne Swamp where I picked up the Hermit Thrush (first time) and Northern Mocking bird. Additionally, while traveling I saw European Starlings, Robins and Rock Pigeons. That’s a total of 16 and a good start. Even better, it was just good for the soul to return to the Kelly Brothers Birding Championship.
the suburban naturalists 