Birdboard 2005 Year in Review

[Tiki]

We had an awesome year on Birdboard.com! Many new features were added, thousands of new members joined us. Many members took the opportunity to meet up in person. So, everyone think back over the last year and tell us what you think were the most significant events for Birdboard in 2005? How did Birdboard impact on your life in 2005?

I'll start the ball rolling. In November, I travelled to the USA and got to meet about 25 Birdboard members in person! We had an awesome gathering in Philly at Casablanca Moroccan Restaurant which was loads of fun. Then I did a road trip and met lots of wonderful Birdboard people in their homes (and their beautiful Fids too). In April, I was made editor of the Birdboard newsletter, joined by Samm in September. In October, I got to play Oprah and interview one of the bird world's most popular authors-Mark Bittner. I added 3 members to my feathered family-Chaska in May and Tjinimin and new baby Princess Parrot in December. I wouldn't have known how wonderful Quakers and Princess Parrots were if not for friends I met here on Birdboard! They are the perfect birds to join my large family of Tiels as my spoiled rotten Fids!

Looking forward to hearing how Birdboard touched your lives this past year!

[The Outlaw]

Let's see. I made tons of new friends and lost a few too. It was a complicated year. I met many of the BB members as well. I was made a Mod in the fall. I learn something new every single day. I topped the 10,000 posts milestone this month (try to top THAT) and with the help of my BB and ********** friends, was able to help raise some much needed funds for the Avian Health Network, my most favorite charity. I'm praying the BB with become more active in the fight against PDD this new year.

However, my best thing this year had to be meeting up with some good friends with whom I've only corresponded online in the past. The world gets smaller every day. Tiki made that point when she jumped on planes and met lots of us on her lightening trip in November. Without a doubt, meeting Tara, Jeth and Del,Liss, Carol and Doug,Laurie, Tammy, Jeannie, David, Don, Helen, Mike, Tracy and David, Lara and Freddie,Lisa and George and Becky and their respective spouses was just plain awesome. I'm hoping that this year I'll be able to meet Jan, Joanie and Kim Lynn, too.

I hope that Birdboard will have regional get togethers so that more folks can meet up and make close friendships. When you live with birds, you need like-minded people around you to support you when things get rocky.

I'd really like to thank Tara, Laurie, Samm, Lil Kevin and Keev for making this board work so well. There really isn't anything nicer on the internet.

[Doug W]

Wow....where to begin. My husband and I have been on BirdBoard for 1 1/2 years. I will review from there as truly this Board has been life changing.....

My husband found this Board and told me about it. He said "It looks good....let's join". At the time we joined we had Piper (our Hahn's) and were looking to buy a *Biggin'*. That is where Nancy (the Outlaw) came into play. She helped us SO much. She told us all the pros and cons and of course gave us oodles of information on the Big Macaws (she is SO intellegent). My love for Nancy started then....she was SO dedicated and passionate about her Flock....SO devoted. With all the information came our Belladonna......finally Jawsy.

This Board has been our Sanctuary. This is a place for us to be just that *US*. We can all join together for a love so GREAT...our Fildren!

I am proud and HONORED to have met some of the most incredible people.....Nancy, Tracey, Tara, Lara, Lisa, David, Don, Jeannie Jeannie, Helen and I am in GREAT hopes to meet Miss Jethica REEEEEEEEEEEEAL soon!!!!! Who would have thought that 1 1/2 years ago would have brought forth such STRONG Friendships and Love. Truly it is Magic! I hope to meet everyone some day!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for allowing my husband and I to be part of such an incredible Board. We truly love it here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[basketbagley]

It's been a good year for me! It started out loosing a cherished pet cat, but that lead to being able to rekindle my love for birds. I know have 4 and stumbled quite quickly onto this wonderful Birdboad.

I now have made some life long friends that have become a 2nd family. I was also lucky enough to be living a stones throw from Nancy and the Taki Tiki which has allowed me to meet so many members of the board.

I feel so blessed to be here and have made so many friends!!! and can't tell you how much everyone has helped me too.

I look forward to next year and all it has to offer....

[wildirish]

I have had the pleasure of meeting a few BB members past and present.

I have also made a few very good friends, Laurie, Nancy, Tara and others. These are people who I hope will be in our lives a long time. It is so wonderful to have friends who are also nuts about birds!

I hope to be able to meet a few more BB peoples! Like Jan and Joanie!!!!! HINT! HINT!!!!

[cfulhage]

I became a member of Birdboard earlier this year. I had just gotten my CAG, and had so many questions concerning her care. Since that time, I have learned so much, and met some fantastic people along the way! Coming across this board was perhaps the greatest thing to happen to me in 2005!

I LOVE this board, and am honored to be a part of it!

[Vankarhi]

I think I joined bird bird about 1 year ago (will have to check it). During that year, I suddenly lost my pink and grey girl, Bo. I have added an alexandrine which is a little girl. she is only 10 weeks old. skye has "grown" in leaps and bounds.

I enjoy coming here to read and learn from everybody else. I feel comfortable here and know that when I ask a question I will get good advice. I love to be able to brag about all of my fids and kids...............and I guess I might do it too often 'maybe'

It amazes me how we can communicate with people all over the world and not leave our homes. I love to learn about other people and where they live.

[Samm]

I joined BirdBoard on my birthday last year (Dec. 21st). Since that time this board has transformed into something unimaginable to the normal person.

This is a place where we can come and share life's experiences, laugh, cry, learn.

Although I've only met 3 other members in person (Joanie,Tara and Barb) everyone here is like family. Nancy, Laurie, Jeth, Don.....Monica, Graeh....who loves ya guys more than me?

Also, Keev, and Knvband....you guys are awesome. I recently accepted the most honorable position of Moderator here on BB, and really enjoy working with all of you! Nancy, Tara and Laurie, y'all are awesome too and we make a great team!

Just think back on the past 12 months and see how many of us have added to our flock, realized a dream.....it wasn't too long ago for our Dayna, opening a store way up in Alaska.....Tara added a Quaker not long ago, and just recently, 2 Princess parrots......Laurie with her special little Quaker, Nevaeh......and now a TAG....great news....there are so many more of us who have had additions to our flock this year.....and others who have sadly passed over the bridge....

I'm honored to be a part of such a large and caring family.

[Kevin]

I will spill my guts in the newsletter next month... too long...

[felisdomesticus]

I joined back in June or July shortly after adopting my ekkie girl from a local bird rescue. I have learned so much in that short time. Scarlett's transition to our home was rough, particularly b/c she hadn't been handled for most of her life and she regressed and also b/c she was my first experience with birds--ever.

I cried and cried, I posted here looking for some guidance, I cried a bit more. Nancy/Outlaw was very kind and spent over an hour on the phone with me and telling me all about eclectus behaviors/care and birds in general. She was very patient with me, too, when my cell phone cut out about 4 times and hung up on her! I was mortified but she was a good sport about it and taught me so much!

I have also enjoyed learning about all of the different species of birds out there. I definitely would like to add a macaw to my home at some point in the future--a Scarlett or Greenwing. This board has taught me about these types of birds and I know that, if/when the time comes, everyone will be here and willing to help me through that journey as well.