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February 12, 2009
Fred Weber’s CF Big Year checklist
Last year, Fred Weber set out to see how many species of birds he could see at the Celery Farm. He used the standard-issue "Checklist of Birds" from the kiosk, and he visited the Celery Farm every chance he got.
He spent 1,000 hours at the Celery Farm, and, when the year was over, he rued the fact that he did not spend more time there.
By the end of 2008, he had seen or heard 192 species of birds — with another three "probables." That is nearlt four-fifths of the species of birds that have been recorded at the CF ever.
I have been bugging Fred, an unassuming guy, to send me a copy of his list, which I am reproducing in its entirety here.
Click "Continue reading…" below to see Fred's Big Year list.
Note: I want to keep track of as many significant Celery Farm "big years" as I can. Marsh Warden Stiles Thomas has a CFBY total of 170+, and I know that John Workman and that Fanning fellow have racked up some amazing CFBY's as well. I will post that info as well as I receive it. By putting it on the Web, it becomes permanent and accessible.
8 comments
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Very impressive! I am awed by your dedication!
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Congratulations Fred! What a great year!
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Cheez, Fred, you never cease to amaze me! As do all the dedicated Celery Farm Birders!
Thank you, Jim, for a great post! Love the look at the raw data! -
Fred! First of all, thanks for finding some great birds for us at the CF in 2008 (and in years past).
Thanks also for letting Jim post your summary. An absolutely awesome first-rate job.
Will anyone ever again see in the same year at the CF the following: White-winged Crossbills, White-rumped Sandpiper, Western Tanager, and Mississippi Kite?
I’m still in mourning over having missed LA Waterthrush(which I never thought would ever come to the CF), Snowy Egret, and Sandhill Crane. You got those too!
All of this is testament to your skill, patience and determination. Congrats and well done! I’ll send my 2008 list to Jim after everyone’s had a chance to forget your totals (and Rob’s)!
See you in the field!
John Workman -
Awesome Fred, way to go !!
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Fred’s list looks like a mad scientist’s – it’s fantastic!! What a great thing – congrats Fred!!! Love, Steph
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Great to see his list! In my ’08 total of 175 species I recorded 2 birds in ’08 that Fred missed–CT Warbler and Redpoll. Stiles had Wild Turkey–so that means at least 195 species were recorded at the CF in 2008! There are reports of a few other species but they are unconfirmed w/ no details–these include Blue Grosbeak and KY Warbler, the latter of which has never been confirmed at the CF…
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Wonderful — Congratulations Fred!
Carol
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8 comments
Deedee Burnside
Very impressive! I am awed by your dedication!
Barbara
Congratulations Fred! What a great year!
djbrown
Cheez, Fred, you never cease to amaze me! As do all the dedicated Celery Farm Birders!
Thank you, Jim, for a great post! Love the look at the raw data!
John W.
Fred! First of all, thanks for finding some great birds for us at the CF in 2008 (and in years past).
Thanks also for letting Jim post your summary. An absolutely awesome first-rate job.
Will anyone ever again see in the same year at the CF the following: White-winged Crossbills, White-rumped Sandpiper, Western Tanager, and Mississippi Kite?
I’m still in mourning over having missed LA Waterthrush(which I never thought would ever come to the CF), Snowy Egret, and Sandhill Crane. You got those too!
All of this is testament to your skill, patience and determination. Congrats and well done! I’ll send my 2008 list to Jim after everyone’s had a chance to forget your totals (and Rob’s)!
See you in the field!
John Workman
Doug M.
Awesome Fred, way to go !!
Stephanie Seymour
Fred’s list looks like a mad scientist’s – it’s fantastic!! What a great thing – congrats Fred!!! Love, Steph
Rob Fanning
Great to see his list! In my ’08 total of 175 species I recorded 2 birds in ’08 that Fred missed–CT Warbler and Redpoll. Stiles had Wild Turkey–so that means at least 195 species were recorded at the CF in 2008! There are reports of a few other species but they are unconfirmed w/ no details–these include Blue Grosbeak and KY Warbler, the latter of which has never been confirmed at the CF…
Carol Flanagan
Wonderful — Congratulations Fred!
Carol