On Sunday, February 5th, 2023, 31 birders in 15 teams participated in the seventh annual Mega
Bowl of Birding in CT. Most of the birders were members of the New Haven Bird Club, although
the event was open to birders from all parts of the state. Eight of the teams birded along the
coast while the other seven birded inland. The event was postponed from the previous day due
to the bitter cold that marked the fourth of February this year. The “Snowy Owlkins,”
comprised of the father/daughter team of Ken and Ayla Elkins, reported the most species (71)
and points (140). They birded in Stratford and Milford, prime birding locations. All the teams
did well and collectively the participants observed 116 species of birds for the day. The 5-point
species found were: Clapper Rail, Eastern Phoebe (found in two different locations), American
Pipit and Nashville Warbler. 4-point species that were found included: Snow Goose, Eurasian
Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, Redhead, Double-crested Cormorant, Black-bellied
Plover, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Razorbill, Iceland Gull, Short-eared Owl, Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush,
Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, and Rusty
Blackbird. That’s a lot of rare and uncommon birds!
Participation in the Mega Bowl results in monetary donations to the birding or environmental
organization of the participants’ choice. This year, more than $500 will be donated to local
organizations on their behalf. This year, the recipients are: Audubon Connecticut, the
Connecticut Audubon Society, Save the Sound, A Place Called Hope, Roaring Brook Nature
Center, New London Trees and Tarrywile Park.
Due to lingering concerns about the pandemic, we elected not to have an in-person meeting
this year. We plan on resuming the awards and compilation dinner next year (and hopefully,
every year thereafter) as it is a wonderful part of the whole Mega Bowl experience. Mega Bowl
VIII will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024. We are hoping for a great level of participation
then. So, please consider joining in on the fun!
Chris Loscalzo,
Mega Bowl Founder and Coordinator
