Congradulations go to Tom Mansfield for hitting the 100 or more birds in all 39 counties today. It happened this way around 12:30pm when Tom and I stopped for lunch at Altoona. Adding up Tom's county list it showed only 2 to go. A few minutes later I had both of them nailed in the scope. They were Surf Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser. But which one was the number 100? Well we may need to ask Tom. 30 mins. later the total hit 104 and off we were for the Clark Co. Swainson's Hawk.

It all began in July helping Tom with many of the counties making it to the 100 or more in all. Days where we got out and walked so Tom's jeep wouldn't roll trying to get down to Grouse Flats in Asotin Co. And the long hot!! walk into Turnbull NWR just to get Great Egret and Baird's Sandpiper for Spokane Co. in close to 100 degrees and full sun carrying a scope. I really doubted Tom would make it this year, but as the weekends began to get closer to the end of the year it all became clearer that it was going to be close and very possible. We both put in some long hours and long weekends and obviously some counties are a snap such as Clallam and others much tougher like Garfield.

So Tom's last county was Wahkiakum. Mine was Benton Co. back on Dec. 8, 1993. Matt Bartels who hit the mark this year was Ferry County, but don't know the date. The elite group is small but growing. The list includes other birders such as: Patrick Sullivan-1997; Dan Stevens, Wayne Weber, Howard Armstrong-all in 2004; and Marv Breece-2005.

I believe there may be more being added to this list. Keep us posted about when and highlights.
Today is Tom's Big Day hitting his mark. Who will follow?

Congradulations Tom!!

Ken KnittleVancouver WA 98665 mailto:washingtonbirder at hotmail.com Washington Birder online http://www.wabirder.com/