Audubon members and bird watchers know that figures play a big part in the game of birding. People devoted to the observation of birds are often noted by their outdoor gear, binoculars, and note pads as they search the habitats for species to watch and record. You see the searchers especially during the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count when numbers count in the end-of-the-day/year calculations. Top sightings often receive special recognition, and the lists are carefully recorded and compared to other lists–a bonus for mankind’s development of language.

Out of this passion to search and see birds has come The Big Day when a person or group sees as many as possible in one day. Then came The Big Year, when as many of the wild bird species present in North America above the Mexican border can be recorded. This experience is told in a book, "The Big Year," by Mark Obmascik, in which the lives of three Big Year participants are explored in the year 1998. That was the year that Sandy Komito "won" by listing 745 birds in 365 days! That is quite a feat, considering that there are about 645 breeding species in North America with about 100 occasional accidental sightings.

What is involved is a lot of traveling. The three men competing in 1998 covered about 275,000 miles. Considering the uncertain weather often involved, this is remarkable. Money helps, too, although a highschool drop-out, Ken Kaufmann, did a big year in 1973, groping around the country in his old 1953 car to record 598 birds that year, 26 more than Roger Tory Peterson listed in a 1953 year of birding described in his book, "Wild America.".

Peterson’s life list was 633 in 1961 and he said he knew of no other birders who had seen more than 600 North American species and only three who had seen more than 500. However, 19 other birders reported numbers of at least 600. It became the "600 club" until the 700 figure was topped. The Big Year totals now list five above 700, with Sandy Komito having two.

The National Audubon Society was formed in 1886 by George Bird Grinnell, editor of Forest and Stream magazine, picking up the bird banner created by John James Audubon to cherish birds. Thirty-eight thousand people signed up which so overwhelmed Grinnell that he abandoned the undertaking, but it was reconstituted by Massachusetts women disgusted with the slaughter of birds for hat decorations a few years later.

The Christmas Bird Count started in 1900 as Audubon Society ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested a day of counting birds instead of killing them. It started with 27 bird lovers going afield and listing 90 species. Today, there are more than 50,000 people in 1800 different counts across North America that participate.

While the Christmas Count involves several individuals to confirm sightings, The Big Year pursuit depends on personal honesty, although photographs and associated sightings help provide authenticity on rare species.

Although I have had a deep interest in birds starting as a boy in Missouri, attracted by the migration of the warblers, I have not been a "lister," more fascinated in the natural history and habitat relationship. But I got the feeling once when I was exploring the Everglades. A rare duck only sighted in America 13 times–the Bahama Pintail–appeared at one of the ponds. I didn’t know what I had as I photographed it practically at my feet, but word spread among the listing people and next day observers were flying down from New York just to add that bird to their list!

When Benton Basham topped out at 711 species in the Big Year of 1983, he met Sandy Komito who wanted bird information. Benton said Sandy should (l) join the American Birding Association, (2) spend $5,000 on a top of the line Questar birding scope, (3) look for Asian rarities on a deserted Aleutian island called Attu. It is not cheap. Basham admitted that he could have built a new home and bought a new car for what 1983 cost him.

Birding is one of the most literate of outdoor pastimes. Field guides and published information is essential to understanding the varieties of birds. Top competitive birders consider the "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America" as the most comprehensive. Beginners will be aided by Peterson’s field guide, the Golden Guide, and the new Sibley guides. The most important thing though, is to go afield where the wild birds live or intently watch your back yard feeder. The living characteristics of birds is an ever fascinating feature of nature sure to interest you all the days of your life once you have made that connection. Watch! August 31, 2004