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The Green Big Year fall strategy, or lack there of

Ok, so I started this a month ago with some ideas. I have barely had time to chase birds, feed the kids, be dad/husband, work, and sleep, so the blog is behind. I'm scribbling a lot of notes so I can flesh this whole year out more sometime down the road. I guess I better type those scribbles because they are hardly legible now! 

Anyway, here is my strategy in bullet fashion. It's all I have right now :) 

  • I may need to let some birds go. I have already sort of given up on a couple birds that were just too much time/physical commitment or at a busy time of the year and I simply can't do it all. I can't just get in the car and drive 30 min for a bird. I have to consider time commitment, whether it's a work day or weekend (when I need to be dad), and other factors when jumping on a big chase or ride.
  • I'm considering riding into the foothills again for a bird or two bird, but that'll be a major time commitment. I could be sore and tired for a week. Last time I rode up into the hills, my back hurt for a month. Sigh. I also need some birds sort of staked out. I can't push limits for a whole day for nothing. 
  • Marsh Wren - find one! I found one! Success!
  • There is a balance of scanning Chatfield State Park or other places for shorebirds/gulls/jaegers vs. working the woods for passerines. This is tough and tricky! Basically I just need to make a decision, go with it, and have no regrets!
  • I am thinking about a couple Big Sits at the Chatfield Marina Sand Spit. Birds come and go all day, so a couple mornings camped out there may be good. It could also be a total bust. These need to be planned, but you can only plan too much since success may be more weather dependent. I thought today (13 Sept) would be good and it was largely a bust and too windy. I got Sabine's Gull for #259, but that was expected and my last code 1 in the bag!
  • Always eat breakfast like you're going for a 30 miler, even if you're not planning on riding. Or better yet, eat like you're planning for a 50 miler as I wasn't quite prepared for the day that Joey Kellner found the Long-tailed Jaeger and I was 18 miles east of Chatfield. That'll be an amusing blog spot.
  • Maybe missed the boat on Northern Waterthrush, oh wait, I got one! Success!
  • I'm giving the monthly talk to Denver Field Ornithologists in 2 weeks. I better get started on that presentation! 
  • Always keep the bike and gear ready to go. A quick chase may need to happen and I can't spend 20 min finding my binoculars and Clif Bars.
  • Stretch more. Do more core work.
  • Finally, just follow Joey Kellner around. Duh. This will make more sense when I write up my jaeger day.


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