C'mon people! Anybody who watches birds is no loser! However, I must admit I am always envious of those who have the time and money to participate in this challenge. I think it would be a blast. I have a hard time participating with friends who do this because I work every other holdiay and every other weekend. I may try to arrange it next year. (doubtful). I would like to do it just once. 
In the meantime, instead of wining and moping around about it, I have made my own January game. I call it The Thrifty Eco-friendly Big 70. It's like a giant CBC where my house is the center point and the radius is 30 miles. I allow myself one trip outside the circle , but it has to be less than 80 miles one way. I chose 70 species to make it challenging but not ridiculous.
I wanted it to be attainable but not easy. So far I havn't won, but last year I did hit 69. This year only 65, but I had a lot of fun trying. I didn't really put as much time and effort into it as I could have. Actually I have had the most fun observing the birds around the house. I had 31 of those species at home. So, unless I retire, get fired, layed off or become disabled , the January 100 will probably remain elusive for me.  But that's okay, I'm enjoying the birds I do see to the fullest. 

Shari Jackson 
Marlboro Township
Stark County 




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