By Edward Warden

Anyone who’s been a birder or even known one for more than a minute, knows that the best time to look for birds in the morning. That’s not to say that said birds aren’t around at all points during the day, but their activity is greatly reduced as the day progresses and they become harder to find. Mornings are for the birds. Birders often commiserate on the crazy early mornings they pull to spy these 21st century dinosaurs while onlookers shake their heads in disbelief. It comes with the territory.

A few years ago when I began working at Sand Ridge Nature Center, I realized that I wasn’t very familiar with the vast majority of natural areas in the vicinity of the center. Given my commute, I wasn’t able to go exploring before or after work, so I began exploring on my lunch break. An hour is really not much time when you factor in grabbing your lunch, hopping in the car, driving 5-10 minutes away, romping around, and then driving 5-10 minutes back. But it was good enough to get familiar with many of the gems the of Calumet region. Along the way, I was surprised to find that several of these areas had little to no records of birds. I always had my binoculars with me anyway, so I began to take note. Before long the lists for these gems grew from nothing to a respectable something. A year-long phenology emerged despite the less than ideal birding time.

Since then, I’ve changed jobs, moved twice, got married, etc., but the habit of lunch break birding stuck. Sometimes still, this ends up being the only time when I can dedicate time to my favorite pass time. For me, I often have to get to work particularly early, meaning there’s no time to get up and out to bird before it’s time to slap on a uniform. It’s not unusual for me to be up late, sometimes because of work, or a simple backlog of personal work. And you know what, sometimes I just wanna sleep in!

I’m willing to guess I’m not the only one in this boat. Hell, my excuses might be considered downright quaint next to others. I can’t imagine what kids would do to my birding life and sleep schedule, or a job where I have to punch in before the sun is even up, or holding down multiple jobs. So what’s a birder who’s unable to get out in the morning (whatever the reason) with a serious case of FOMO to do? Go at lunch!

So this year, to fully embrace and normalize going out at this ornithologically mediocre time frame, I’m doing a big year. A lunch break big year! All through 2020, I will be trying to find as many birds as I can while on my lunch break. That said, what fun is such an endeavor without one’s friends? That’s why I’m inviting you, birder friends currently or to be, to join me. Let’s make a year of it!

The ground rules:

Any day of the week is fair game but it needs to be a work day.
Time frame is anywhere from 11am to 2pm but your countable birding time is only up to an hour within that window, not all three hours. Any time less than an hour spent birding, even 1 minute, is totally cool.
You can bird anywhere in the vicinity of your workplace and use any mode of travel. However, any travel to and from your birding locale must be done within your hour time frame. No driving to the middle of your nearest national park, setting up your scope, and then turning on the timer. But if you work in said park, well, fair game.
Record your bird lists with the location, time frame, and date. Ebird lists are ideal. Send them to me at blog@chicagobirder.org.
Bird to relieve stress, not add to it. I won’t be lunch break birding every day and neither should you. Sometimes you just really need that time to do what was intended, to relax, or pull a working lunch to get things done. Even the best of us don’t go birding every day, so don’t bird your lunch every day.
Respect the spirit of this friendly competition. There are loop holes to these rules. You’ll know (as will I) when you’re taking advantage of them.

Once a month, I will post a big year update on the COS blog featuring everyone’s running species list/count. If you also have pictures and/or fun adventures to share, please include them in your emails to me to be considered for inclusion.

I’m excited to chase midday birds, down the street or out the window, with the best community in Chicago. See you in the field!

Join the Lunch Break Big Year!