Team Zeiss: A Complete World Series of Birding Saga

This year, we made an attempt to document the World Series of Birding, and the efforts of Team Zeiss in particular, in fairly unique way. We fielded a chase car, and followed Team Zeiss through some of their scouting, and through just about the full 24 hours of the event, twittering as we went on @zeissbirding_us. This provided folks, perhaps for the first time, with a ground-level view of the competition, at least from the stand-point of one highly competitive team. Twitter is ephemeral by nature, and, while I was able to post some audio clips, and some images on the day, to get a real feeling for the competition requires more that twitter can provide…or more than I could provide through twitter with my current tools.

This, then, is the extended version (sort of the director’s cut), based on my tweets from the chase car, but not limited to those. I have expanded and amplified, and added images and video to make it a more complete record of the event…and of Team Zeiss’ efforts. This is a chronological record. I will get to some more reflective writing on the experience in the next few days, and also feature some images and video of the Carl Zeiss Youth Challenge Teams. Until then, enjoy this fairly unique view of the WSB! Brought to you by the birder-friendly people of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics.

Thu Apr 29 10:42:52 Run up to Team ZEISS and the World Series of Birding: making it more fun this year. Blog/twitter = fun. http://bit.ly/cHryzj

Fri Apr 30 8:36:14 14 days til the World Series of Birding. Follow Team ZEISS and the Youth Division here, and at zeisssports.wordpress.com

Fri Apr 30 12:07:21 Ramping up to the World Series of Birding for Team ZEISS. Counting the days.

Mon May 03 7:34:44 Run up to Team ZEISS and the World Series of Birding: making it more fun this year. Blog/twitter = fun. http://bit.ly/cHryzj

Tue May 04 11:47:34 The Games Afoot. Already. World Series of Birding. Team ZEISS. http://ow.ly/1GWMj

Thu May 06 7:40:53 Woohoo! Chase Team for WSB Team Zeiss grows. @WBEditor and @birdspot join me for the effort. Fun! http://ow.ly/1HE8K

Fri May 07 20:10:50 Testing Hootsuite for next week’s WSB effort http://ow.ly/i/1qw2

Fri May 07 20:55:36 2 B fair, there are OTHER World Series of Birding teams besides Team Zeiss. 3 from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Sapsuckers! http://ow.ly/1HZmx

Sat May 08 7:00:21 World Series of Birding. Team Zeiss. One week from today. Here’s hoping. http://ow.ly/1Iwss

Mon May 10 8:57:08 An opportunity not to be missed: ground level coverage of the World Series of Birding http://ow.ly/1J1Tx

Tue May 11 8:18:32 Team Zeiss: on the ground already, scouting. http://ow.ly/1JwWj

Wed May 12 6:27:31 At the airport on my way to Cape May and the World Series of Birding #wsb

Wed May 12 7:01:22 Dreary dreary day in Philly on my way to #wsb World Series of Birding http://ow.ly/i/1w4d

 

Wed May 12 19:15:14 I am in Cape May (after a long conference call stop in a Staples parking lot) but it is raining http://ow.ly/i/1wr5

 

Thu May 13 8:33:03 It is cold and damp in Cape May. Especially in my hotel room. Such is the nature of the #wsb, #wsob.

Thu May 13 7:25:08 Day breaks in Cape May to 30 N.Gannets together fishing close-in off the beach across from the Avondale. #wsob #wsb

Thu May 13 9:32:57 Cape May Point Hawk Watch platform and Lighthouse. #wsb #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1wYo http://ow.ly/i/1wYq

Thu May 13 10:47:42 ABA Tropicbirds scouting #wsb #wsob with @abaoutreach & @jeffgyr http://ow.ly/i/1x2D

Thu May 13 11:27:52 The Meadows Cape May #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1x4Z

Thu May 13 13:16:33 Northland Center CMBO #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1xaS

Thu May 13 14:21:25 Team Zeiss scouting Coral Ave. #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1xeh

Thu May 13 15:26:26 #wsob Team Sapsucker scouting http://post.ly/fs2Z

Thu May 13 16:01:46 Gallery of scouting shots #wsob http://post.ly/fsIf

One of the advantages of being unofficial at the World Series this year is that I had time on scouting days for some no pressure digiscoping and bird photography. The last 6 images are with my Canon SX20IS. The rest are digiscoped with a Canon SD1400IS behind the lens of the Zeiss Diascope 65FL.

           

Thu May 13 17:55:44 Scouting: World Series of Birding, Team ZEISS http://ow.ly/1KPXS

   

Thu May 13 19:15:44 Swap Meet: #wsob Sharing the wealth! http://ow.ly/i/1xs0

One of the most interesting aspects of the World Series of Birding as a competition is the level of cooperation that happens during scouting and route planning. Teams meet on Thursday evening both north and south to share what they have found…especially the locations of difficult birds. The more seasoned competitors regularly help new or inexperienced teams to plan an effective route. The Youth Challenge teams in particular, benefit from this openness, but everyone benefits to one extent or another. And, of course, since $$ is being raised on a per-species seen basis, the real benefit goes to conservation!

 

Fri May 14 21:23:50 Got to see: House Wren with a problem! Digiscoped video. http://post.ly/fuWi Taken on Thursday, as I informally scouted the trail behind the Hawk Watch platform at Lighthouse State Park. Pretty funny to watch.

 

Fri May 14 21:41:22 What Team Zeiss might look like on Saturday! #wsob http://post.ly/fud3 

Part of the insanity of the World Series is the speed at which the teams have to move on the day of the event. This often involves a lot of running out to find the target bird, and then running back to the vehicle as fast as you can. Here Tom Reed and Michael O’Brian practice their running with a scope skills.

 

Fri May 14 6:05:28 I will drive the length of NJ and back 4 times in the next 3 days. Crazy? World Series of Birding! #wsob

Fri May 14 10:10:51 At the Philly airport to pick up @WBEditor for #wsob Team Zeiss chase car team late

Fri May 14 13:42:38 @WBEditor & @birdspot preparing the inner person fir the #wsob. http://ow.ly/i/1ydg

Fri May 14 16:39:56 Final planning. Team Zeiss #wsob http://post.ly/g1zO

We planned to start the WSB run in Bernardsville, but due to last minute recalculation (ditching Great Swamp) we had to leave there by 10:30 to reach Sussex County were we actually began to the count at midnight.

 

Fri May 14 18:57:30 Team Zeiss is bedded down for a few hours of sleep before a 10:30 departure to be deep afield at midnight.

Sat May 14 21:43:27 The chase team for Team Zeiss is upright once more. Packing. Brewing a last tea (@birdspot) Off to meet the real Team Zeiss momentarily.

Sat May 14 21:58:40 On a hill in far north Jersey with Team Zeiss listening for migrants. Midnight in 2.

Deep in Sussex county, on a back road to nowhere.

Sat May 15 00:04:06 Stars overhead. Aircraft. Not a lot of bird sound.

Sat May 15 00:07:49 Picking up a few now Michael sifting them out of the man-made background.

Sat May 15 00:24:05 Local on a Kawasaki mule w/ a spotlight came to check on us. This is country. #wsob

Evidently a passing motorist (of which there were few) had called the local police, who had called the nearest farmer, who had come out on his ATV with a very bright spotlight to see what we were up to. Friendly sort, but somewhat mystified at what we were doing on that hill at midnight!

Sat May 15 00:26:31 And now comes the wind to confuse ears. #wsob

Sat May 15 00:28:45 Deer came to look at us. Snorted loud enough to startle. #wsob

Sat May 15 00:31:55 Sounds of midnight #wsob http://post.ly/g3y4

Sat May 15 00:42:07 Flashes of lightning beyond the hills to the north. #wsob

Sat May 15 01:19:11 Now we listen beside a marsh. #wsob

Sat May 15 01:25:24 Night sounds of the marsh #wsob http://post.ly/g47Z

Sat May 15 01:26:41 RT @WBeditor: Will Russel gave us an A+ for decorum. Go @singraham & @birdspot! #wsob

Sat May 15 01:42:22 Fireflies light the fields and woodlot. Listening for screech owl. #wsob

Sat May 15 02:12:08 Another owl spot. Screech and barred. At least that is what the guys are imitating. #wsob

Sat May 15 02:33:59 Clapping for clappers. #wsob

Sat May 15 02:57:15 Back on the hill to listen some more. #wsob

Sat May 15 03:03:05 No wind on the hill this time but far fewer birds going over. #wsob

Sat May 15 03:51:22 We have intersected another team back at the first marsh. Took our parking spot! #wsob

Sat May 15 03:55:21 L Bittern! #wsob

Sat May 15 04:37:13 Now overlooking major marsh. Lots of frog action. #wsob

Sat May 15 04:41:40 Great Horned Owl calling. #wsob

Sat May 15 05:10:00 Just getting light at the marsh #wsob http://post.ly/g5Ep

Sat May 15 05:34:06 Dawn chorus in the fields on North Jersey. . #wsob

Sat May 15 05:55:00 Amazing stop just at dawn. Many species in a very few moments.

 

Sat May 15 06:08:36 Highpoint / Stokes #wsob http://post.ly/g5Zx

 

Sat May 15 06:25:44 Highpoint #wsob http://post.ly/g5fP

Amy Hooper (@WBEditor) and Catherine Hamilton (@birdspot) stretching their legs…every chance to get out of the chase car was a blessing!

Sat May 15 06:36:23 Still in Highpoint #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1z07

   

Sat May 15 06:39:15 RT @WBeditor: The birds are starting to wake up. This will get more fun (c: #wsob

Sat May 15 07:16:19 Stop and start thru Highpoint. Ethnically sensitive fire drill over and over. And the count climbs.

 

Sat May 15 07:28:19 @KRNaturalPhoto Can’t share the count. Lots of birds so far. Nothing unexpected.

Sat May 15 07:46:09 Got tangled with a bike race. The nerve! #wsob.

Sat May 15 08:30:03 Bear just ran across the track ahead of Team Zeiss. Know not to mess with serious birders. #wsob

 

Sat May 15 08:44:56 Thunder Mountain and it’s ponds are entertaining! #wsob

This was taken out the window of the moving chase car.

Sat May 15 09:05:07 How can it possibly be only 9 am? Course Team Zeiss is saying "hurry up! It is already 9am. #wsob

Team Zeiss at work in Highpoint/Stokes and the Delaware Watergap.

     

Sat May 15 09:35:46 Delaware Watergap is amazingly beautiful. Need to come back when not chasing Team Zeiss. #wsob

     

Sat May 15 09:59:26 Back on 80 E. Does this mean we are leaving "the north" Team Zeiss. # wsob

Sat May 15 11:42:38 We had to make a rest stop, got somewhat lost and only caught up with Team Zeiss as they were leaving Garret Mt.

Sat May 15 11:46:39 And now we are really leaving the NORTH. Good morning from were we sit. Don’t know how the Team feels about it #wsob

Sat May 15 11:49:44 On the Garden State. Thank you for rentals with etoll. #wsob

Sat May 15 12:14:06 Removed the first tick of the day . You have to get them all off. Otherwise you have to pay export duty at the NJ border. #wsob

Sat May 15 13:42:12 Changing plans. Headed for the north end of Belleplain, then ??? #wsob

Sat May 15 14:11:31 Different terrain in the SOUTH. Belleplain #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1zpp

 

Sat May 15 14:29:10 Heislerville. Team Zeiss. #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1zqG

   

Sat May 15 15:05:19 Belleplain again. Team Zeiss. #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1zsj

 

Sat May 15 17:18:29 Waiting too hook up with Team Zeiss again near Two Mile Landing after breaking off to take care of business (gas, hotel, etc.). #wsob

Sat May 15 17:20:51 Team Zeiss is working it’s way south toward us thru Avalon & Wildwood. #wsob

Sat May 15 17:37:16 Just had a Magnolia Warb right beside the car but Team Zeiss was not here to see it #wsob

Sat May 15 17:40:11 Bobwhite Quail calling and visable in small tree right on the water. ??? #wsob

Sat May 15 17:57:14 Yellow-billed Cuckoo flew across the road. Still no Team Zeiss to see it . #wsob

I was driving for a while here and did not get to tweet, but we spent some time at 2 Mile Landing on the road to Wildwood.

  

Sat May 15 19:24:03 Getting late along the canal. Team Zeiss. #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1zEw

Sat May 15 19:27:35 Chasing around Cape May Point as the sun sets filling in the list. #wsob

Sat May 15 19:39:30 Back of the dike. #wsob http://post.ly/g9WA

 

  

Sat May 15 19:56:12 Sunset. Cape May. #wsob http://post.ly/g9al

   

Sun May 15 21:49:26 Lost Team Zeiss about 8pm, while they were running the last of their route. Decided a burger at Carney’s was the better part of valor

And amazingly Amy and Catherine are still smiling

Sun May 15 21:51:30 Plan to be at the finish line in while to see Team Zeiss (and the rest) come in. #wsob

Sun May 15 23:02:11 Taking names and… The check-in table for the World Series of Birding. #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1zQu

Sun May 15 23:19:31 Early arrivals at the finish line. First in does not win! #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1zRn

Sun May 15 23:47:55 Pete Dunn handing in the list for Team Zeiss. #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1zSS

Tired but satisfied (mostly) Team Zeiss at the Finish Line.

   

Sun May 15 23:56:10 Pic of the Day: Cape May Sunset. Happy Sunday. From last night at the end of the World Series of Birding day! http://ow.ly/1LElr

Sun May 16 8:49:38 RT @noflickster: Results are in, Cornell scores 224 species – excellent showing, Sapsuckers! #wsob http://bit.ly/goitz

Sun May 16 8:54:41 Awards brunch World Series of Birding #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1Aof

Sun May 16 9:26:03 Brunch #wsob http://ow.ly/i/1Apa

Starting with the third image, Will Russel of Team Zeiss with the coffee cup. Michael O’Brian looking like we all felt. Pete Dunne pointing the finger of fame at the chase team captain (me, behind the camera). Don Frieday getting tips on next year’s route . Will Russell and Brian Sullivan (Team Sapsucker, 3rd place). A few of the Brick City Nighthawks. Tom Reed of Team Zeiss. Pete and Michael…Pete is obviously saying “Stop me if you have heard this one before…” @birdspot and @WBEditor, my partners in fame from the chase car. 

            

Sun May 16 9:49:24 Amazing. All people can talk about at the awards brunch is yesterday. #wsob What we did right. What we did wrong. How’d you do it?

Sun May 16 10:05:42 World Series Of Birding has raised 9 Millon $ for conservation in 27 years! #wsob

Sun May 16 11:20:59 #wsob Winners: tie! Foundation for Avian Research and Lagerhead Shrikes 228! http://ow.ly/i/1Ayw

Sun May 16 11:26:32 #wsob Pete Dunn / Zeiss Future Leaders in Birding http://post.ly/gDch

Sun May 16 11:45:18 Youth Division Winners http://post.ly/gDiI

Sun May 16 11:48:04 RT @singraham: Youth Division Winners http://post.ly/gDiI #wsob

Here you should take a look at my winners gallery at World Series of Birding Winners. Team totals and lots of pictures. Here are the Carl Zeiss Youth Challenge winners and the over, tying winners.

   

Sun May 16 11:51:37 #wsob To finish each team gets 2 min to tell their story. Always some laughs. Not infrequently some emotion. In a good way.

Sun May 16 12:14:36 Final tweet directly from #wsob. Watch for more extensive blog coverage in the coming weeks at http://ow.ly/1LI7X

So there you have it. A few more tweets collected from others, and a few on my way home…but that is really it for the World Series of Birding 2010 and Team Zeiss’ Effort. I am already looking forward to next year!

By the way, in case you are curious, Team Zeiss counted 195 species for the day, which would have made them tied for 5th place, if there was such a thing!

Mon May 17 13:51:29 RT @woodcreeper: Nine Inch Rails <- Best World Series of Birding team name, and great help scouting the north. Thanks guys!

Mon May 17 14:53:28 At the Philly airport way early: attempting to catch an earlier flight on my way home from the #wsob and conerage of Team Zeiss.

Mon May 17 14:56:12 Team Zeiss blogs coming, but here is a list of the #wsob winning teams and a pic of each. http://ow.ly/1M2W0

Mon May 17 17:25:59 Finally aboard a flight to Portland and home after the #wsob. Still home 2 hours before original flight. T.I.G.

Mon May 17 21:58:06 I added Rich Moncrief’s pics of several of the Youth Challenge teams to the World Series of Birding gallery. http://ow.ly/1Mh57

Mon May 17 23:10:05 Case U missed it: Team Zeiss blogs coming, but here is a list of the #wsob winning teams and a pic of each. http://ow.ly/1M2Zw