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Bird Count and Compilation Dinner – The Eighth Annual Mega Bowl of Birding – Chris Loscalzo
February 3 - February 4
The Eighth Annual Mega Bowl of Birding
You must register with Chris Loscalzo by Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Chris Loscalzo, 203-389-6508 or closcalz@optonline.net
Saturday, February 3, 2024, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
and
Mega Bowl Compilation Dinner
Sunday, February 4, 2024, 5–7 p.m. (Kellogg Environmental Center 500 Hawthorn Ave. Derby CT)
Mega Bowl of Birding Announcement
The Eighth Annual Mega Bowl of Birding in New Haven County and CT will be held on Saturday
February 3, 2024, and the celebratory dinner will be held on Sunday February 4th. Here is a
summary of the event: The Mega Bowl is a celebration of birds, birders and birding. The idea is
to go birding in a specific area in CT (a count circle with a 5-mile diameter that includes your
residence, or any town, or any county in CT), either on your own or preferably with a small
group of your birding friends. You look for as many bird species as you can and are awarded
points for each species you find. The less common the species, the more points you acquire.
Prizes will be awarded to groups in several categories AND the points you attain will be
converted to a monetary donation to the CT conservation organization of your choice. Last
year, 15 teams participated in the event and more than $500 was donated in their names to
seven different organizations in CT. A total of 116 species were observed. This year, we will
reintroduce the post-event dinner (not held the past 3 years due to the pandemic) at which
people will get to share their birding stories with other birders, obtain prizes, designate where
the donations in their names will go and enjoy a fine meal. There is no “catch” here nor is there
a fee to participate. Birders of all experience levels are welcome.
The Mega Bowl was inspired by the Superbowl of Birding that is held each winter in coastal
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Mega Bowl has evolved over the eight years of its
existence. The basic format, though, has remained the same. People who are interested in
participating can create their own teams or submit their name to me and I will try to match
them up with other birders in their area to create a new team. Teams are encouraged (but not
required) to come up with a name for themselves (I, for example, am a member of the “Winter
Wrenegades”). The team should select their birding area in advance of the event. It can be a
circle with a 5-mile radius that includes the residence of at least one of the participants, or any
town or county in CT. All teams will receive a checklist that lists the birds they might see, and
the points associated with finding those species. There is one checklist for coastal areas and
another for inland areas. Birding is on the honor system, and there is an expectation that each
species is identified accurately. More than half of the members of a team need to observe a
bird for it to be counted as observed by the team. The birding will take place from 6 am to 5 pm
on Saturday, February 3rd. All results should be sent to me that evening for compilation. Rare
birds can be posted on ctbirds without delay so that other teams can go looking for them if they
choose.
Dinner will be held on Sunday, February 4th at the Kellogg Environmental Center at 500
Hawthorne Avenue in Derby, CT from 5 to 7 pm. Attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory.
A variety of foods will be offered, including a few vegan options. Advance registration for the
Mega Bowl is required, with the deadline being Wednesday, January 31st. There is no cost to
participate. Participating teams can choose any CT-based conservation organization and a
donation will be sent to that organization in their name with the amount sent proportional to
the number of points the team achieves. The Mega Bowl of Birding is intended to be fun and
friendly. Although there is a competitive aspect to it, the focus is on camaraderie and a shared
common goal of supporting our local avifauna and their habitats. Contact me soon if you’d like
to participate! At: closcalz@optonline.net or 203 389-6508.
Leader: Chris Loscalzo, 203-389-6508 or closcalz@optonline.net