Date: 1/15/25 9:41 am From: Michael <mplinz...> Subject: Re: Arkansas County Big Years--Michael and Patty Set the Record?
Todd,
Patty and I came to a similar conclusion as you several years ago and decide we should focus on our home county. We split our time between two house so it wound up being 2 counties (White and Faulkner). Our best year in Faulkner County was 249. We are lucky in that those two counties offer a variety of habitats. We don’t necessarily try for a “big year” but when you focus on just one or two counties your numbers just go higher.
I suspect Dick Baxter holds the best county big year for Desha County. He is an amazing birder and birding in an amazing county.
Michael and Patty
> On Jan 14, 2025, at 9:12 PM, Todd Ballinger <todd.ballinger...> wrote:
>
>
> Since I haven’t seen mention of this information on ARBird yet, I thought it worth highlighting—especially in light of the New Year and the birding goals we are each making.
>
> Having a little time on my hands this Christmas Break (and a lack of a meaningful cold front to bring in new birds I was hoping to find to boost my year-end county total) I did a quick survey of the major birding counties to see if I could figure out who holds the all-time County Big Year Record for Arkansas.
>
> I started checking eBird county by county to see how my 2022 number of 243 species in Washington County held up statewide. My excitement started to grow as I went through the records of the first few counties…and then, there was no way around it, I checked White County. Where I saw I’d been spanked by Michael and Patty. By a huge margin. 252! Just one year later.
>
> Attached is a PDF of screen-shots of the top Arkansas County Big Years I could find. I didn’t check every county and every year, so please let me know if I missed something. Also, I’m curious how Mark Alderman could find 106% of the birds in his county the year he found 234 species.
>
> Below are some of the reasons I’ve come to find County Big Years so enjoyable.
>
> A big personal congratulations to Michael and Patty. A record like that doesn’t happen by accident.
>
> Happy New Year and Good Birding,
>
> Todd Ballinger, Fayetteville
>
>
>
> If you are looking for new year goal, a county-level Big Year offers several distinct advantages over statewide or North American Big Years:
>
> 1. Accessibility and Practicality
>
> Reduced Travel and Costs: A county Big Year requires less extensive travel, minimizing expenses for transportation, lodging, and meals. This makes it more financially feasible and environmentally friendly.
> Time Commitment: It’s easier to integrate into a busy schedule since birding can be done locally, without needing extended trips.
> 2. Deeper Local Knowledge
>
> Focus on Local Habitat: A county-level effort allows you to develop a deep understanding of the specific habitats, migration patterns, and bird behavior in your area.
> Conservation Impact: Your observations can contribute directly to local conservation efforts, as smaller datasets often lack robust coverage.
> Engagement with Community: You can work closely with local birding communities, landowners, and organizations, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
> 3. Achievability
>
> Attainable Goals: Finding a broad array of species within a smaller geographic area is more feasible than covering a state or continent. This makes the project less overwhelming and more rewarding for beginners and experienced birders alike.
> Rare Finds Still Matter: In smaller areas, rare or unusual birds can have a more significant impact on your tally, adding excitement and motivation.
> 4. Personal Connection and Joy
>
> Rediscovery of Common Species: A county Big Year encourages an appreciation of common birds often overlooked in larger-scale efforts.
> Frequent Exploration: Regular visits to local hotspots create a stronger connection to nearby nature and allow you to witness subtle seasonal changes.
> 5. Environmental Considerations
>
> Lower Carbon Footprint: Focusing on a smaller area significantly reduces the environmental impact of travel, aligning with sustainability goals.
> 6. Preparation for Larger Challenges
>
> Skill-Building: County-level birding hones field skills, such as identifying calls and flight patterns, in preparation for larger-scale challenges like statewide or North American Big Years.
>
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> <Arkansas Big County Years--2024.jpg>
> <Arkansas Big County Years--2024.pdf>
