Hartford Audubon's Big January for Hartford County has only three days left! It has been a great joy running into so many other birders this month, as well as becoming acquainted with lots of new places to find birds. For example, LaSallette Open Space in Bloomfield was unknown to me, and what a gem. I hear there is a kestrel and a catbird there, although they eluded me today.. It's always a little sad when the month is over. If you are participating in the HAS Big January, please enter all your birds into eBird no later than noon on Feb 1 -- I'll pull the records later that day. If you enter information later than then, please email me with updates no later than Friday, Feb 3. And if you're keeping a paper list, please mail or email it to me at sffaulkner@comcast.net mailto:sffaulkner@comcast.net so that I'll RECEIVE it by Monday, February 6th. There are four categories: * Youth (ages 4-10) who must see at least 25 species to enter * Teen (ages 11-17) who must see at least 35 species to enter * Weekend Warrior (adults ages 18 and up who can’t get outdoors during the week) who must see at least 50 species to enter * Adults (ages 18 and up who can get outdoors during the week) who must see at least 60 species to enter. All entries that meet the minimum number of species for each challenge group will receive a certificate of achievement, even non-HAS members (although we might try to recruit you!). Special prizes go to HAS members for the birder who has the highest species count for each challenge group, and the coveted “Golden Grebe” award for the birder who found the most unusual bird. Please see the HAS website at https://www.hartfordaudubon.org/ https://www.hartfordaudubon.org/trips-events/club-events/ for contest details, or email me at sffaulkner@comcast.net. mailto:sffaulkner@comcast.net And please don't forget the January photo contest - see our website for details. Happy Birding! Sarah