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 are:

• January – 84 species.
• February – 97 species.
• March – 111 species.

As migration comes and goes, you will see the numbers rise and fall across the year. Check out my past trips linked below for more birding details.

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February 2026 – Delmarva Eastern Shore

The early morning of February 26th found me traveling to the East Coast of Maryland; the beginning of a near-routine jaunt to favorite coastal birding spots. The weather started cloudy and 35F. By the time dawn arrived, I was at the MD Ornithological Society’s Irish Grove Sanctuary. Although the sanctuary itself was closed, the areas around it were open. So I continued out through the marsh, hoping for Short-Eared Owl, but found a nice American Bittern instead. Saw the usuals including Swamp Sparrow and Bufflehead Ducks. Then headed for the coast, Ocean City Inlet, Indian River Inlet, and Cape Henlopen. Ocean City Inlet offered lots of Common Eiders, Red-Breasted Mergansers, both Common and Red- Throated Loons, and a single female Harlequin Duck. I was surprised to NOT see any Gannets.

Sometimes these trips surprise you, not just what you see, but what you miss. In any case, I headed to Indian River inlet. I arrived mid-morning, with clouds and drizzle and about 40F. Carried the spotting scope to the jetties and found lots of Long-tailed Ducks, another pair of Harlequin Ducks, Great Cormorants, and a single Purple Sandpiper. Some other usuals also including Boat-Tailed Grackle. Moved up the coast after visiting Silver Lake where hundreds of Canvasbacks over-winter. They did not disappoint. Traveled to Cape Henlopen and found both Red-Breasted and Brown-Headed Nuthatch.

Finished the first day at Prime Hook where light showers continued. No new additions there. Day 2 found me on Port Mahon Road, searching for Short-Eared Owls. Found two of them flying over the marsh. After taking several passes there, headed for the favorite Bombay Hook NWR. Tree Sparrows and Sandhill Cranes were the highlights there. Weather improved also to sunny and 45F. Thousands of Snow Geese were there and Tundra Swans were also plentiful. Pintail Ducks were everywhere. All in all, it was a fantastic trip for February, logging 91 species in just 2 days.