The Montezuma Muckrace took place September 10th-11th this year and all indications point to it being another very successful event! We hosted a record number of teams (35) as well as possibly a record number of participants (number yet to be determined). The weather was ideal both Friday evening as well as Saturday with, at times anyway, a breeze which helped keep the mosquitoes at bay (ok not really)!
The mosquitoes seemed to be the lowlight for many teams but they are something we deal with during every Muckrace and participants don’t let them hamper their enthusiasm while scrambling to add birds to the list. Highlights included the long-continuing roseate spoonbill at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. No matter how many times you see this gorgeous bird it’s always a delight to refind it, and Friday evening when it was situated in the middle of a large egret flock with the setting sun reflecting off it, it was particularly beautiful. Other highlights noted by people were a peregrine plucking a bird from the sky, a turkey family crossing Van Dyne Spoor Road, & a robin chick on the nest almost ready to fledge (yes, at this late date!). These were just a few that I glanced at while collecting the checklists and comment forms.
While at this time unofficial, as we are working to verify a few sightings, species totals for most teams were very good! It appears the top competitive team will finish with over 130 species (Hobart William Smith’s Thrashers) while the top recreational team had 123 (The Wind Birders). Top teams in other categories include; Collegiate-113 (The Cerulean Warblers), Family/Mentor-62 (Mac Daddy & the Chicks), Photo- 77 (The Shutterbirds). Final tallies for each category and all teams will be posted ASAP.
I’d like to thank all the volunteers who offered their time and talents to help make this fundraising event a success. They went above and beyond by taking on extra duties and staying longer than the time slot they had signed up for. We are very grateful, thank you!
Money raised so far is in excess of $7000 and we are still receiving contributions. Thank you to all who gathered donations, purchased t-shirts and (our new) Muckrace hats. The shirt design was beautifully done as usual, with a striking raven holding a stolen egg in its beak on a light blue t-shirt. We’ll get all the final numbers as well as some highlight/lowlight comments posted soon!
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