my backyard in the springHave you considered BIGBY for 2008? No, it's not a political slogan but an acronym for the Big Green Birding Year, a project started in Canada. It calls for reducing one's carbon footprint while birding by keeping a list of birds you see on trips that are taken exclusively under one's own power of locomotion. No cars, no planes, no big tours, etc. It's a neat way to get out there and bird your local environs while saving Mother Earth (and your wallet). I found out about it while visiting The Great Laura Erickson's great blog.
There's the Walking Bigby, in which you can only count birds you've seen while walking from your home or your work. There's a broader category, the Self-Propelled Bigby, where you can count birds seen while walking, biking, rollerblading, etc. That's the one I'm choosing, to encourage me to finally start using that bike I bought a couple of years ago and have only ridden twice.
Recently a third Bigby, the Public Transport Bigby, has been added as well -- for you city slickers lucky enough to have a decent public transportation system (train/bus).
So far, 75 people in Canada and the USA have signed up. Looking over the list of towns represented, I see Scappoose, Oregon (I'll bet that's Born Again Birdwatcher!) and my little village of Spring Mills, PA. Put your town on the map by signing up!
5 comments:
I'll have to take a closer look at that.I do a lot of birding while walking any way.
I love the BIGBY idea. I'll check it out. Most of my birding is done in my backyard. I hope that counts.
But I have to say, my backyard doesn't compare to yours in beauty. What a lovely view you have.
Your backyard is glorious!
The BIGBY notion is great. It would be difficult for me even though I'm always watching the birds. I just get caught up in the surprises and photos and would forget to count.
Yup, your backyard counts! That's the cool part. That backyard view is what sealed the deal for us when we first saw the house. That's why I called it Marsh House.
Mary, I understand what you mean--I always go on walks and forget to bring a piece of paper and pen. I have to rely on the camera to record things half the time.
I have been listing the birds seen in my neighborhood since moving to Tucson last March. I'm up to 42 species! Perhaps I should start over...I love the picture of your backyard. Makes me want to come and sit awhile!
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