We have some tallies as of March 31 from the dozen folks in the Meadowlands Big Year for 2013.

Congrats to all for competing. We hope you are having fun near to home, and seeing lots of great birds.

Keep in mind that some birders are in the Meadowlands all the time, and others get here occasionally, so their birdage may differ drastically.

(These are unofficial numbers, and obviously change frequently.)

If you're name's not on the list, please e-mail Jim Wright at jim.wright (at) njmeadowlands.gov. It's still early! Sign up now!

Here is the leader board as of March 31:

           1. Chris Takacs:  98, (2012 reigning champion, ineligible for prizes in 2013 as a result, lives in district)
           2. Ray Duffy, 92 (in district)
           3. Mike Newhouse 90 (NJMC, setting a target number for competitors)
           4. Jackie DeMarco, 80 (out of district)
           4. Mike Wolfe, 80 species (out of district)
           6. Dennis Cheeseman, 79 (out of district)
           6. Jim Wright,  79  (NJMC staff, ineligible for prizes)
           7. Oliver Stringham, 67  (in district)
           9. Julie McCall, 73 (in district)
          10. Mike Turso 70 (out of district)
          11.  Roy Woodford 58 (out of district)
          12. Rob Fanning 56  (out of district)

Big Years Totals as of March 31, 2012

1. Julie McCall: 87 species  (lives in district)
2. Mike Newhouse 86 (NJMC naturalist, setting a target number for competitors) 
3. Chris Takacs:  84  (lives in district; counting birds within district boundaries, not district towns)
4. Ray Duffy:  83 (lives in district)
5. Doug Morel: 80 (out of district)
6. Ramon and Lillian Gomez of West New York: 79 (out of district)
7. Jim Wright: 78 (NJMC staff)
8. Roy Woodford: 69 (out of district)
9. Dennis Cheeseman: 64  (out of district)
10. Rob Fanning: 47 (out of district)