It's always sort of bittersweet when May comes to a close. The bulk of migration is over, the heat of summer is upon us, and it's humbling to think that it won't be too much longer before the inevitable return of birds heading the other direction. But we can pause in June for Breeding Bird Surveys and hunts for wayward vagrants and maybe a short break from birding before it's time to ready our constitution for the mudflats and mosquitos of late summer. But that's not too soon, of course.
While we're looking forward to summer, here's a very brief look back at the month that was at the ABA Blog. Just in case you missed anything.
Guest writers in our Open Mic feature included Woody Bracey's report of a record breaking Big Year in the logistically challenging Bahamas, Rick Simpson's incredible attempt to draw attention to the plight of the worlds shorebirds by seeing as many of them as possible though his WaderQuest initiative, and the fantastic first-hand account by Brian Quindlen of the first youth team to take top prize at the World Series of Birding.
As always, if you have something you'd like to say to our readership, please contact me at blog AT aba.org. We'd love to give you a platform.
Have you checked out Birder's Marketplace yet?
Events Coordinator George Armistead announced the return of the ABA Convention, to be held in Texas in April of next year. You'll be hearing more about that in the not to distant future, but for now save the date.
Lynn Barber comes every closer to the 200 species mark in her county Big Year, finding sparrows and warblers along the way.
President Jeff Gordon is finally ready to talk about the "New ABA". Are you?
Robert Mortenson introduces the 2013 Bird of the Year Multimedia Art Contest in his own idiosyncratic way.
Photo guru Bill Schmocker shared his experiences in video-recording, placing natural perches near his feeding station, and enjoying some local Ruddy Ducks.
We welcomed Drew Weber to the fold, and he kicked things off with a discussion of tech innovations in birding.
And yours truly broke down some of the more interesting bird taxonomy reports up for a vote from the AOU Check-list Committee.
Several #ABArare birds were seen this month, including Flame-colored Tanager in Texas, Plain-capped Starthroat and Slate-throated Redstart in Arizona, Common Ringed Plover in Massachusetts, two Little Egrets in Newfoundland, Black-faced Grassquit in Florida, a provincial first Purple Sandpiper in Alberta, and Green Sandpiper and Tundra Bean-Goose in Alaska.
As always, if you're a member of the ABA, THANK YOU for your support. It is because of members like you that we are able to do all that we do and we appreciate it. If you're not a member yet, please consider joining! We'd love you have you.
Thanks for reading!
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