MEGA BOWL VIII REPORT
Twenty teams made up of 60 birders from all four corners of the state (and the places in
between) participated in the Eighth Annual Mega Bowl of CT this year. The birding portion of
the event took place on Saturday, February 3rd, and the celebratory dinner took place on Sunday,
February 4th. Most of the teams birded within a circle with a 5-mile radius while a few teams
birded within an entire county. The “Egrets, I’ve got a few” team composed of Cody Limber,
Alex Lin-Moore and Alison Robey found the most species (77) within a circle while the “Darth
Waders” team made up of Daniel Errichetti, Skyler Kardell and David Mathieu observed the
most species (92) in a county (New London). The highest total for an inland circle (58 species)
was achieved by the “Flock of Smeagols” team composed of Mark Wantroba and Lindsay Gress.
The highlights were many as rare birds were seen in a number of locations. Most were found at
locations where they had been seen in the days or weeks before the event, but there were a few
surprises found on the day of the event as well. The list of rare birds included: HARLEQUIN
DUCK, EARED GREBE, GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, CLAPPER
RAIL, VIRGINIA RAIL, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, BLACK-HEADED GULL, COMMON
GULL, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER, AMERICAN PIPIT, VESPER SPARROW, BALTIMORE ORIOLE AND
HERMIT WARBLER. The combined efforts of all the teams led to the observation of 125
species.
About half of the participants were able to come to the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby
for the celebratory dinner. The food was superb and included several soups, chili, and a variety
of desserts. Prizes were awarded to the highest scoring teams, the oldest and youngest
participants and to numerous people who saw the “golden bird” of the day, which was selected at
random from the list of birds seen during the event. This year’s golden bird was the Red-tailed
Hawk.
An important aspect of the event is that the birding that the participants do translates into dollars
donated to the CT-based conservation organization of their choice. This year, more than $1,000
were donated to organizations all over the state. The recipients of the largest donations were:
Save the Sound ($140), A Place Called Hope ($124), and the Goodwin-Niering Center for the
Environment at Connecticut College ($108). Other organizations that received donations
ranging in value from $40 to $100 included: the CT Audubon Society, Sharon Audubon Center,
New Haven Bird Club, New London Trees, the Roger Tory Peterson Enviromental Center, the
Ansonia Nature Center, Riverbound Farm, COA and the Roaring Brook Nature Center.
The Mega Bowl has evolved into a fun and friendly event where birders get together and go
birding in their local areas to see what birds are surviving (and we hope thriving) in the middle of
winter in our state. It is truly remarkable and gratifying to see how many different species are out
there this time of year. We all challenge ourselves to see as many bird species as we can, and we
are all rewarded with surprising and memorable sightings that encourage us to continue to go
birding and to do what we can to preserve their habitats and ensure their continued existence.
Chris Loscalzo, Mega Bowl Coordinator
