Here’s the barstool version:

In the early 2000s the late Noel Wamer began to post on his website, Badbirdz.com, semi-regular reports of nocturnal migration as illustrated by weather radar imagery. These were almost all from the Key West radar where birds could be seen coming and going from the Florida peninsula. These images were dramatic and captivating; and they are in part why I became a self-proclaimed ‘radar junkie’. Upon my arrival to New Jersey in 2004 Noel inspired me to start Woodcreeper.com, where I have tried to take the weather radar products to another level in terms of using them to predict birding conditions and develop a tool for birders to use when planning their birding excusions. I moved to a format where I updated the site nearly every morning during spring and fall migration and added multiple radar feeds to cover a greater area.

After Noel’s passing in 2007 a great void was left over Florida, and I set out to fill it with Badbirdz-Reloaded. I never intended to run both websites by myself, and always thought it would be best for some Floridian birder to take over the Florida-centric site. In October of 2008 Angel and Mariel Abreu, two young and extremely energetic birders, became the primary contributors to Badbirdz-Reloaded. They took over the responsibilities of not only posting the radar interpretations, but all of the behind-the-scenes work as well (downloading the radar each morning, making and posting the radar loops, managing the comments and site content, etc.). This takes lots of time and dedication, and Angel and Mariel have never looked back.

Although we have talked about it for years now, today Badbirdz-Reloaded becomes the full responsibility of Angel and Mariel. From now on they can take it wherever they see fit, and I have great hopes for them in moving things forward for the best of Florida birders and our collective understanding of migration across this most important flyway. I hope too that you’ll consider supporting them as they fledge. Since you are reading this on Woodcreeper.com, you know that we have just completed a fundraiser to keep this site going into the future. you also know that the turnout was exceptional and that the bills are paid (with some money left over for site development!). Angel and Mariel are now conducting their own fundraiser specifically for Badbirdz-Reloaded, and I hope you will help me spread the word to our birding friends in and out of Florida. If you know a birder in the Sunshine State ask them if they have heard of Badbirdz and tell them to visit the site and see what Angel and Mariel are up to.

http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/please-support-badbirdz-reloaded/

Thank you for reading this far, and have a wonderful holiday season!

Kindest Regards,

David La Puma (woodcreeper)