ABA Blog in Review: September 2012

Checking in briefly to offer some thanks to our ever increasing readership for your continued support of the ABA and this blog (speaking of which, have you considered joining?  We'd love to have you).  Here's a look at some of the highlights of the last great month. 

Events Coordinator George Armistead checks in with some photos of the ABA's hugely successful young birder summit and the member meeting, both held in northern Delaware a couple weeks ago. 

Lynn Barber, she of Big Year fame, shares her love of Little Brown Birds and offers tips on those looking to make 2013 a big birding year. 

Birding editor Ted Floyd rolls out what will be a great moment in the history of print/internet synergy, birdwatching division, with the first (and ongoing) series of supplemental content from the September 2012 issue of Birding. 

Jeff Gordon offers some scenes from the organization, including the in-house celebration of library volunteer Mel Goff's 600th ABA bird, a remembrance of Oklahoma birder Jeri McMahon and the ABA young birder scholarship now created in her name, and a welcome to the ABA from the governor of Delaware!

Bird of the Year Coordinator Robert Mortenson would like to remind you of our BOY multimedia art contest.  Let's have your best Evening Grosbeak expressions!

Greg Neise announces the creation of a Birding News mobile site that makes it easier to access all your favorite listservs on the go, and sings the praises of the listing birder. 

Bill Schmoker gets out to a banding station, and offers some tips of shooting photos in low light with a high ISO.

Noah Strycker gets LASIK, and discusses how it affected his birding, for better and for worse.

Plus Open Mics from Mel Goff on birding Alaska, Tristan Reid with a novel way to raise awareness of the plight of Turkey's birdlife, Nate Dias on the problem with east coast pelagic boundaries, and Alan Contreras on the importance of nature curriculum in modern education.

Plus, we had some red-letter rarities in the ABA area this month including a state-firsts Elegant Tern and Crested Caracara in New Jersey, Baikal Teal, Rufous-tailed Robin and Eurasian Kestrel in Alaska, state-first Great Shearwater in Michigan, provincial-first Kelp Gull in Ontario, state-first Tropical Kingbird in Utah, Piratic Flycatcher in New Mexico, and goodies in California including Hawaiian Petrel and highlighted by a state first and lower 48 second Common Cuckoo. Birding in September has been white-hot. 

Thanks again for reading and we'll see you in October!