March 5, 2026
The Sky’s the Limit for This Birder
Fewer than 500 people worldwide have reported seeing this African bird – a blue-moustached bee-eater. Photo by Marc Chelemer By…
Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
February 20, 2009
The Celery Farm’s Biggest Day?
A little-known fact about Fred Weber's record-setting Celery Farm Big Year in 2008 is that it also contained a record-setting Big Day. I'll let Fred explain…
Since I was spending every day at the Celery Farm from mid April through May as part of my Big Year in 2008, I decided to do a Big Day as well. Rather than pick a particular date, I waited for a fall out to occur.
On May 2 by 7:30 AM I had 13 species of warblers, 3 species of Vireos, a few other neo-tropical migrants, American Bittern, and 6 species of waterfowl, so that seemed like a good start for a Big Day…
I spent 12 hours at the Celery Farm that day and ended up with 87 species, which is the most ever seen there in one day, as far as we know.
It was a little surprising that I didn't add any more warblers. Perhaps an indication of the unfortunate decline of our migrant songbirds.
I had a flyover Common Loon, 5 species of waders, 5 species of shorebirds, 4 species of woodpeckers, and 28 species of neotropical migrant songbirds (the warblers, vireos, flycatchers, orioles, etc. that nest in North America and winter in the tropics).
The misses included Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Sharp shinned, and Cooper's Hawks, Ring-billed Gull, and Junco. It was an overcast day, so raptors were not soaring, but I did have a fly over Black Vulture, an Osprey and an American Kestrel.
Even though I'm not doing a Big Year at the Celery Farm this year, I plan to do another Big Day (or maybe 2) if I'm there when a fall out occurs and I get off to a good start in the morning.
90 species seems possible, and who knows, with a lot of luck and a great fall out maybe even 100.
But even 87 is a testament to the value of the Celery Farm as a protected habitat.
— Fred Weber
6 comments
-
Great blast from the plast post Jim! I remember being at the CF that day before work and running into Fred. I think my highest in one day is 74 birding till mid-afternoon–have never actually done a complete full day of birding at the CF. Another day I think I tallied 71 during a work day (birded before work, at lunch, and after work)
-
Hey. I wrote myself a check for ten million dollars for acting services rendered and dated it Thanksgiving 1995. I put it in my wallet and it deteriorated. And then, just before Thanksgiving 1995, I found out I was going to make ten million dollars for Dumb & Dumber. I put that check in the casket with my father because it was our dream together.
I am from Equatorial and also now’m speaking English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Reggae is deeply decided by high parties to route anti-fascist, gear and career children, tire, traditional wheel, and congenital regions far become youth, around out engaged in a true or 6th man.”
Thanks for the help :o, Abigail. -
Give please. I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. Help me! Help to find sites on the: Waterbed conditioners. I found only this – mini air Conditioners. Conditioner a good day and a good hair day both begin with the right conditioning. Water king is a non intrusive water conditioner that inhibits scale formation, removes existing scale deposits and partially softens hot water. With best wishes :mad:, Elan from Iceland.
-
Great Post..I find comments relating to this subject matter very interesting, especially the fact that birds today have terrible living conditions because of a lack of care concerning wildlife.
-
Very nice Fred. I remember being there with you in the AM during part of that fall-out. Good stuff. I believe my personal high is 79 species–during a day in which I had to work! 🙁 I also had 74 species with Jen C. one day.
Might try a big day myself this spring–always fun… -
Jody and I had 80 on the first “Stepping Up” day years ago. Haven’t been able to replicate it yet. It’s always interesting to do a big day, get great numbers, and then realize how many “easy” birds you missed.
Leave your comment
Related Post
March 3, 2026
First Review: ‘The Peregrine Falcon’
I am pleased to share Booklist's magazine of my upcoming book... The Peregrine Falcon: The Epic Life and Times of…February 27, 2026
Revolutionary News!
On Thursday, the Allendale Borough Council plans to honor Founding Father John Fell, who was known as the "Great Tory…
February 20, 2026
World’s Largest Pigeon!
For a limited time only, The High Line in Manhattan is home to "Dinosaur," a huge statue of a pigeon…
6 comments
RF
Great blast from the plast post Jim! I remember being at the CF that day before work and running into Fred. I think my highest in one day is 74 birding till mid-afternoon–have never actually done a complete full day of birding at the CF. Another day I think I tallied 71 during a work day (birded before work, at lunch, and after work)
Abigail
Hey. I wrote myself a check for ten million dollars for acting services rendered and dated it Thanksgiving 1995. I put it in my wallet and it deteriorated. And then, just before Thanksgiving 1995, I found out I was going to make ten million dollars for Dumb & Dumber. I put that check in the casket with my father because it was our dream together.
I am from Equatorial and also now’m speaking English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Reggae is deeply decided by high parties to route anti-fascist, gear and career children, tire, traditional wheel, and congenital regions far become youth, around out engaged in a true or 6th man.”
Thanks for the help :o, Abigail.
Elan
Give please. I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. Help me! Help to find sites on the: Waterbed conditioners. I found only this – mini air Conditioners. Conditioner a good day and a good hair day both begin with the right conditioning. Water king is a non intrusive water conditioner that inhibits scale formation, removes existing scale deposits and partially softens hot water. With best wishes :mad:, Elan from Iceland.
The Bird Coop
Great Post..I find comments relating to this subject matter very interesting, especially the fact that birds today have terrible living conditions because of a lack of care concerning wildlife.
Rob Fanning
Very nice Fred. I remember being there with you in the AM during part of that fall-out. Good stuff. I believe my personal high is 79 species–during a day in which I had to work! 🙁 I also had 74 species with Jen C. one day.
Might try a big day myself this spring–always fun…
Dave Kaplan
Jody and I had 80 on the first “Stepping Up” day years ago. Haven’t been able to replicate it yet. It’s always interesting to do a big day, get great numbers, and then realize how many “easy” birds you missed.