What a big day this is for music lovers and birders! I'll have to divide this post into two parts so you can read whichever section moves you!
BIRDS
Today is Global Big Day, when birders from all over the world try to count as many species as they can over a 24 hour period. "More than 51,000 people from 192 countries submitted 134,000 checklists with eBird" in 2021. (eBird is an app for recording bird sightings, and helps with bird ID and bird education).
Both heard and sighted birds count, and if you don't know what you heard or saw, there are general categories for those. Researchers use these checklists for various purposes, and it is important you don't omit anything. What you didn't see or hear can be as important as what you did know confidently enough to identify.
So...we tried to listen and hear on an exercise walk and pay some attention to our feeder. At least it's a beautiful day, It's 81F (27.2C) out there right now and after I finish this post, I'm going to get outside and experience more of the beauty of spring.
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| From earlier this week, Binghamton, New York |
EUROVISION
Today (at 3pm Eastern Daylight Time) the finals of Eurovision will begin.
Last year, I found out about Eurovision for the first time and blogged about it. When I told my spouse I was blogging about Eurovision, he responded "What's Eurovision?" I have a feeling more people know this year than last, but in case this is new to you:
Eurovision is an annual contest which originated in the
aftermath of World War II, when Europe was struggling to recover from
the horrors of World War II. The idea was for various European
countries to cooperate with each other "through cross-border TV
broadcasts". The contest started in 1956, based on an Italian music festival, with seven countries participating, and has expanded
into the largest world music event there is.
Until last year, I had no idea that the singers Celene Dion and the group ABBA, among others got their start from Eurovision. I was aware that Riverdance had its start as the "interval" act in 1994. (An interval act performs after the last act in the final during the tallying of the votes, and some of these acts have won their own brand of fame. Additionally, I learned a new word, too, because "intervals" are what we Americans call "intermission" in an event.)
Our country tried its own version of Eurovision this year called the American Song Contest. I should be blogging about that contest in the next week or two.
This will be broadcast live on the streaming service Peacock and hopefully, with my free account, I'll be able to access it.
Here's a taste of Eurovision for you.
Riverdance, the 1994 interval act that introduced the word to this wonderful dance act and Michael Flatley.
Wanting more flowers? Join me tomorrow for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.
Hungry for more music? Join me Monday for another episode of Music Moves Me.
...both are new to me.
ReplyDeleteI did not know about the birder event. We have quite the collection in my condo complex, but I can identify ducks and Canadian geese, and that's about all I know about birds.
ReplyDeleteI do vaguely know of Eurovision, but I have not been paying attention to any of that. I hope someone cool wins.
I thought birder was in January.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe