Total ABA Species Recorded During 2010 - 731



Friday, December 31, 2010

Decision Not To Go To Texas

On Wednesday afternoon another White-throated Thrush was found in Texas, this time at Estero Llande Grande State Park in Westlaco.  I'm certain this is not the bird that was seen in Pharr a few days earlier.  When I heard the news, I got on the computer to see if I could get a flight to the valley the following day.  After some monkeying around, my only option was a very expensive round trip. In addition I would only have the last day of the year to look for the bird.  The resulting quandary was typical of those that arose all through the Big Year.  The decision didn't come easily.  However, later on Wednesday night I decided to let the thrush go.  It was too much buck for the bang!  There had already been a precedent.  I had decided a month ago not to go for McKay's Buntings at a feeder in Nome even though it was an almost guaranteed bird.  That decision was made primarily on financial grounds, but in Alaska the travel conditions are always a little iffy and add an additional constraint.  This time the thrush was not a guarantee, but probably would show up sooner or later at the water feature as the Rufous-backed Thrush did at Laguna Atascosa NWR last week.  That proved to be the case.  A late afternoon sighting yesterday showed the White-throated Thrush to be still around.  Whether it shows today or not will have no effect on my Big Year.  As I learned, very few choices are clear-cut.  I'm pleased that so many of mine went the right way.

16 comments:

  1. A serious and resounding congratulations on an amazing year. Thank you for putting it out there for the rest of us so we could follow along on your amazing journey. All the best in 2011 and hopefully I will run into you again in the future.
    Happy New Year!

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  2. WOW Bob, what a great BIG Year you had!!!! Congrats on a job (and I'm certain it was quite a job) well done !! I only regret I did not chance to be with you for a bird or two. By the way I dipped on the White-throated Thrush but got the Black-vented Oriole at dusk yesterday :-)

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  3. Bob, will miss your posts, looked forward to them all year. Congratulations on your fantastic achievement. Terry

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  4. Bob, have a happy and restful new year! It's going to be tough not having the Bob Blog with my coffee every morning but will survive somehow.

    Congratulations on each of the 731 species.

    George & Rosemarie

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  5. Plus you would have been dealing with that front that is coming across the country just now. Whatever the case, you'll always be #2 in our book! Congratulations!

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  6. Wow, what a year! You've been an inspiration. I've set a goal for 2011 to make a concerted effort to increase my life list and join the "600 Club".

    I must admit, I became a regular reader of your Big Year Blog and will sorely miss it.

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  7. Bob -
    Congratulations on this incredible achievement and the realization of a fantastic dream. And credit to your planning skills and fortitude. We have enjoyed being part of the chase. Wishing you a peaceful new year and great local birding.
    best, Cindy and Rich

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  8. Congrats, and thanks for sharing your great year!

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  9. Bob- Just to echo what everyone else has said: Congratulations on the great year and thanks keeping this blog along the way. It's been an exciting year to follow.

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  10. Congratulations Bob, you only beat your goal by 81 birds!!!! What a sweet accomplishment! Your year has been amazing to follow and you've given me lots of ideas. I must say I will miss this... Hope to see you around Norfolk soon!
    Happy New Year,
    Jeff

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  11. Happy New Year and what a respectable Big Year you had. We are all very proud of your accomplishments and will dearly miss your postings. What will I do now?? Looking forward to seeing you in 2011. Walt

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  12. Bob - You knocked it out of the park, and the crowd is still roaring! I think we all loved the vicarious thrills. Maybe you could keep doing occasional blog posts about birding adventures? I bet you'd have a hungry audience now! Congratulations on everything, but above all on the uncanny tenacity. - Ned

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  13. Nice going, Granpa Toucan. You finished ahead of your goals and allowed us to live vicariously through your adventures - a win, win situation for us all. You are welcome to come down and count birds in our yard anytime. We all look forward to hanging with you in 2011. Congratulations! ~Bethany

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  14. What a great year! When is the big year after party? Will really miss the blog. Nice job.

    Tim Barry

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  15. Congratulations, Bob, on a great achievement and adventure. Wish I could have been with you on another bird or two. Your daily accounts allowed us to cheer you on, and for me personally to revisit old stomping (er, birding) grounds.
    I'm also impressed that you were able to get so many excellent photos of the rarities.

    Karl Stecher
    Colorado

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  16. Congratulations,

    I have followed your quest since your visit to MD for our Tufted Duck in Queen Anne's Co. I was a lot of fun following your travels as i sit at my desk... day in and day out.

    Michael O'Sullivan,
    Maryland

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