ONGOING – Department of Defense Birding Challenge
While I was working for Army Headquarters the last nearly 16 years, I became involved in the Department of Defense – Partners in Flight Program (DoD PIF). As the Chief of the Branch that supported the program, I also was able to contribute over the course of that time. A fun activity that was conceived by members across the Army bird conservation community was this DoD Birding Challenge… Why not make work fun?
So, after retiring, I continue to participate in this “birding contest”. My trip counts and any other birding I accomplish are reflected monthly in the contest submission. Though I do not live in a “hotspot” for birds where diversity is busting at the seams like southern Arizona or California, I do have a time advantage over some still employed. In any case, it allows me to stay in touch with my birding counterparts across the Army. My count totals so far are:
- January – 87 species
- February – 134 species
- March – 109 species
- April – 122 species
- May – 149 species
- June – 98 species
- July – 181 species
- August – 115 species
- September – 125 species
- October – 124 species
- November – 115 species
As migration comes and goes, you will see the numbers rise and fall across the year. This will be updated monthly on this page. Check out my past trips linked below for more details.
Recent Trip: November 2025 – Part 1, Delaware
For November, I decided to split a longer trip into 2 smaller ones. The first was to the Central DE area including Bombay Hook NWR, Little Creek WMA, Port Mahon Road, Tuckahoe State Park in MD, and finally Kent Island, MD. I left on 10 Nov for DE. The weather was decent but getting chilly, only near 57F. Breezy conditions as well on this one. However, I got off to a good start, finding 70 species in DE including 2 Sandhill Cranes, 3 Western Sandpipers, 2 Marbled Godwits, and great looks at winter plumaged Semipalmated Sandpipers. No Snow Geese were present. I saw a pair of Tundra Swans and some more common species like Gadwall, and Shoveler. At Little Creek WMA, around 200 American Coots were present. A nice group of Pied-Billed Grebes as well. That was the only location I saw Ruddy Ducks. Then on day 2 conditions deteriorated. A front came through, and winds got much stronger, and temperatures fell dramatically. The morning began in the 30s. The wind was about 20 mph, gusting over 35 mph. Those conditions persisted throughout the next 2 locations in MD where I called it on Kent Island. I could not keep the binoculars steady, nor the scope. I only managed another 6 species that included Bufflehead, a Sharp-Shinned Hawk, and both American and Fish Crow. I was happy to call this one and head home from here.
Recent Trip: November 2025 – Part 2, Maryland & Virginia
For November, I decided to split a longer trip into 2 smaller ones. The second was to the Ocean City Inlet MD, Assateague Island National Seashore MD, Chincoteague VA, then on through Blackwater NWR MD, and finally Sandy Point State Park MD. I arrived in Ocean City, MD by 0800. The weather was decent but getting windy, only near 48F. However, the inlet is always a great place to birdwatch with its jetties and mixed currents. I saw a lot of Brant, Loons of both Common and Red-Throated variety, Buffleheads, and a nice Merlin crossing the inlet. There were American Oystercatchers and Ruddy Turnstones on the jetty itself. I moved down toward Assateague after and found Brown Headed Nuthatch, and a lot of Gannets fishing offshore. The wind was difficult so seabird watching was a bit compromised. I finished the first day at Chincoteague. The refuge was ½ closed for hunting but opened in the afternoon. I walked/hiked a bunch of trails here and saw many White Ibis, Eastern Meadowlarks, and a ton of dabblers, mostly Mallards and Black Ducks. Day 2 was better weather wise. So, I headed for Blackwater NWR. Always a nice stop. Lots of Bald Eagles around, A large flock of Killdeer. I also saw Pintail, and Green Winged Teal. Heard a lingering Clapper Rail. But a less than spectacular list for this trip. Single Fox Sparrow, and finally nice flocks of Snow Geese were seen but 84 total species was a bit of a disappointment. That’s why we go out often.
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