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Posted by Toe on 11:17:15 05/29/13
June is almost here, and with it begins the June Challenge. If you don't already know about it, the June Challenge began in Alachua County as a way to get birders out during the slowest month of the year. It has since spread to many counties in the state and has even become somewhat of an inter-county competition to see who can find the most birds. You can keep individual totals for each birder (in Pinellas it's usually a close race between Dick Cissel and Bobby O'link, although I think this year Kitty Wake will take the prize), and a cumulative total for the entire county. Last year Miami-Dade pulled off an historic effort with 166 ABA Countable birds being seen. Now here's the one catch. Each bird must be seen; heard only birds do not count.
The first couple of days in June are critical, since we may have some straggler migrants around. Everyone, especially those with feeders, should check for any lingering migrants this weekend. Last year we had Painted Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, and even a Bobolink. Another group to look out for are the shorebirds. Any wet field or puddle could hold a good shorebird. White-rumped Sandpipers are late migrants so be on the lookout for those.
If you do see anything that seems out of place, take a picture. It may not be rare, but if it doesn't belong here in June, we want to document it. Last year Larry got bad photos of a Gadwall, yes Gadwall, in June. I got even crappier photos of Common and Gull-billed Terns. But, they were photographed. Feel free to send me your sightings to keep a list.
June Challenge is a very fun way to get through this time of year, so get out and find stuff. You may be surprised in what you find.
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