A Big Year
By Bob Kowalski

Would you go to the ends of the earth to see a bird? What if it were a really special bird: one with beautiful feathers, an entrancing call, or a silly dance? What if seeing that one special bird would allow you to win a contest?

If that contest doesn't get you on television or win you any cash prizes, would you still do it? For those who participate in the "Big Year," the honor of beating the previous record is the only reward they get or even want.

A "Big Year" is a year in which a person attempts to see as many different species of birds as possible within a particular region. For most in North America who participate in a "Big Year," this region is the lower 48 American states, plus Alaska, Canada, and a couple of French islands off the Canadian coast.

You may be thinking that looking at birds is silly, but just think about the numbers of the recent record holders and the commitment it takes to get these numbers. One recent "Big Year" winner managed to see 744 birds in one year, missing the record by just one bird. Big Year birders travel by train, plane, boat, car, bicycle, and of course, by foot. They can cover over 150 thousand miles to get numbers of sightings this high. They can also spend a small fortune.

Just to clarify, the birds these contestants are counting are the number that they see in a particular year. You see, the contest is based on an honor system. No pictures or other evidence is required as proof of a sighting. Most birders take great pride in their reputation and their abilities to see or hear and then identify a bird. Usually, important sightings of the rare birds needed to get counts in the 700s are visited by hundreds of birders. It is pretty hard to cheat your way to a record-breaking year, but in general, few are interested in cheating.

This honesty comes from the fact that most people who want to break such a record know the greatest rewards are not necessarily in winning. Such rewards are in being able to commit a year of your life to doing something you love. Rewards are found in seeing amazing, inspiring creatures like the California Condor or the Magnificent Frigate bird. Rewards also come in spending time with people who, like you, want to spend their time looking to the skies and trees for glimpses of emerald, crimson, or cerulean blue feathered jewels.

You don't have to be able to travel a continent to have a big birding experience though. Have a big month. Or a big weekend. Set a personal record, learn to identify the species that live in your part of the world, or try to learn the calls of just two species of birds. You will soon find looking at birds isn't such a strange way to spend your time.


Extra! Extra! Backyard Birding
Many schools, families, and young birders across the country participate in the "Great Backyard Bird Count." While not as long as a "Big Year," the "Great Backyard Bird Count" happens every year. It depends on birders and families across the country to watch feeders and other areas in their yards and count the number of birds they see. Unlike the "Big Year," the goal is not to see who can count the most birds. Instead, participants in this event work together to help bird experts get a good idea of how birds are doing. Participants are given checklists and enter their sightings on a website. Called a "citizen-science" project, this event is open to anyone, requires no travel, and happens every year over one weekend in February.


What is the main point of the conclusion of "A Big Year"?
A. Birding is not only about winning a contest.
B. Birding is a fun activity unless it is a competition.
C. Birding can easily be made into a game.
D. People who bird have families that bird.

Answer:

A. Birding is not only about winning a contest.

Answer:

A belive me i got it correct

Explanation:

aspirations for filipino​

alguna vez te preguntaste Cómo se crean y cuáles son sus características de los Playlist y las listas musicales​

What wRider had enough material to write a second book but not enough money to publish it

Can anyone translate this
salanghae,wil neon nawa gyeolhon hae

punan ang bawat kahon ng mga tiyak na hakbang na iyong ilalapat sa pang araw-araw na gawain at pagpapasiya na makatutulong sa paghubog ng bawat na panloob na salik . Gabay mo ang unang kahon.

please po pa help kaylangan na po plss​

esp po ito

разсказ от имени дневника ​

HURRY PLS

Ever since the 1988 protest at Gallaudet University

there are fewer national institutions with services for the deaf
Deaf people decided it was okay to have a hearing president
there is a national celebration to honor the Deaf community every March
Deaf students in college are required to take Speech Therapy and Lip-Reading courses

ساعدوني في تحضير نص تطبيقي عنوانو العاصفة للسنة الثالثة إعدادي ​