Subject: [Tweeters] A big thank you to all
Date: Dec 31 19:11:32 2012
From: bjorkmante at iinet.com - bjorkmante at iinet.com


Throughout 2012, my wife Tammy and I have been involved in a ?Washington
State Big Year? competition with Arden and Sherry Hagen. This is a
fundraiser for our Vancouver Audubon chapter and as of today, we?ve raised
nearly $3,000. Our members have been very generous and genuinely
interested in our escapades. The old record of species seen in one year
was 359 and was held by Marv Breece. As of this writing both teams have
surpassed that number! We will reveal our final numbers at the February
5th Vancouver Audubon general meeting when both teams will present a
program featuring the highlights of our big year.

It has been a truly remarkable year.

Several new species have been added to the state list and many more were
only the second or third time sightings. It seemed like every few days a
new surprise would show up on Tweeters or eBird and off we?d go. Too often
the birds were four or five hours away from our Vancouver homes, but that
only gave us a feeling of accomplishment when we found the bird.

That?s where all of you fit in. We couldn?t have done this without your
kindness and generosity. We are amazed how many people offered their
property to us as a place to park our tent trailer, or how many allowed us
into their home to view a special species. Not once did a request for help
go unanswered. We can?t thank you enough.

We were also inspired by non-birders throughout the state. We made sure
that we let people know what we were up to and why so many strangers have
been hanging around staring at their feeders. We discovered people loved
the idea that something unusual was found in their area and they often
responded by welcoming the fuss.

This state is grand and so, too, are the folks who live in it. From Asotin
to Colville, Neah Bay to Illwaco, and everywhere in between (and in the
San Juans too!) we want to extend our thanks to all for helping to make
this an adventure to remember fondly for the rest of our lives.

Cheers!
Tammy & Eric Bjorkman
Vancouver, WA
bjorkmante at iinet.com