It all started with a simple question: How many species have I seen while running? I’m relatively list adverse compared to other birders; state, county and yard lists are common examples, but, more obscurely, I’ve heard of a “C List,” or the number of species a birder has seen copulate. For me, I only keep […]
My penultimate month didn’t have the most auspicious start. On my first run this month — my third of a week-long stay on Vashon Island near Seattle — I saw my first SURF SCOTER of the year. As I scoured a large flock of American Wigeons to find the male Eurasian Wigeon I’d seen the […]
I ran nearly 100 miles in October (92.75) and the most notable achievement was hitting my 15th – yup, 1-5 – attempt to see the rare BLACK-HEADED GULL that’s been up and down the Potomac River between the Georgetown waterfront and the National Airport for weeks. I struck out every, single, time. It’s an ignominious […]
I targeted specific species on nearly every run in September, and I struck out pretty much every time, from the somewhat common Ruby-throated Hummingbird that had been seen around the U.S. Botanic Garden in migration; several Red-headed Woodpecker in a couple locations; and a Black-headed Gull—a rare visitor from Europe—that is attracting throngs of birdwatchers […]
If you’re a running birdwatcher in Washington D.C., August is a dim month. Thankfully my wife and child had to relocate near San Francisco for most of the month, where I was able to work remotely for over a week. Most importantly, at least for this effort, I was able to fit in four runs […]
With respect to my 2018 Big Running Year, July wasn’t the strongest month. I took the first two weeks of July off. No running, no birds. Don’t cry for me just yet. It was because we did an epic European road trip where, in addition to visiting eight countries (5 new), I secured Top 10 […]
Last month, May, courtesy of spring migration, was always going to be the best month of the year. And just as I knew the temperature and humidity would climb in June, so too was a drop expected in new species to my year list. I still tried my best with a couple trips to Theodore […]
If you asked me when I started this whole thing which month would’ve provided the most species for my year list, I would’ve said, without pausing, “May.” It’s the peak of migration and it didn’t disappoint. I ran three times a week (save one missed run due to a head cold) and I added a […]
It’s springtime: The weather is improving, the birds are moving and I’m on the chase. I tallied nearly 80 miles over 11 runs and added 25 more species for the year. Here are some highlights: My second run of the month was an 11-miler to Fletcher’s Cove on the upper reaches of the Potomac River […]
Foot willing, I got back to my “three runs a week” average in March. That, with two half marathons this month, poured a solid foundation for finding new species. Every run, though, left from the same point in the asphalt heart of D.C. While I’m proud that I’m not driving to target new species, this […]