Compiled By: Susan Hazelwood

COMAL stands for “challenge of Missouri annual list.” Subscribers to Missouri Wild Bird Forum share the total number of bird species they have ticked so far this year. It may seem like an oxymoron to call it a “non-competitive competition,” but that is just what it is. It stimulates our competitive juices and motivates us to get out and see birds in Missouri. But it is done in a relaxed enough way so that none one feels one-upped.

To learn more about Missouri Wild Bird Forum and/or to subscribe to it, return to the ASM web site homepage and click “Mobirds listserve” on the left.

"A brief reflection on bird chasing: In my mind it is still undoubtedly silly, wasteful, and purely sport rather than science (which is supposedly the root of my interest in birds). I've always thought that listing invites the wrong emphasis in that adding another tic can become more compelling than accuracy, let alone enjoying or learning about the bird. But it is a whale of a lot of fun, and done conscientiously, can lead to useful new information (especially about distribution and identification) and greater personal knowledge of birds. It's also a terrific way to spend quality time with good friends. But I suspect I'm preaching to the choir." David Seibel dseibel@jccc.net, Tuesday, December 09, 2003 11:12 AM, Posted on the KSBird-L listserve.

Well written! What more could I add except to write that COMAL = Challenge Of Missouri Annual List and the 2003 results as of the end of November follow.