Bird Sightings

Posted by BLD in MT January 14, 2015

Bird Sightings - 2014

Downy Woodpecker

One of the first books that I read in 2014 was The Big Year by Mark Obmascik. This was the first I'd ever heard of a "Big Year," and my bird-loving, personal-stat-keeping heart was immediately intrigued. Now, I knew I'd never really be a contender in a real Big Year, but I thought it might be interesting to keep a running total of the birds I positively identified this year. Have my own little mini-Big Year, so to speak. And it was.

American Coots

The grand total, as you can see below, was 83 species of birds.

Juvenile Eastern Kingbird

For comparison, Sandy Comito, the winner of the 1998 Big Year which was highlighted in the book (and later movie--he was the one played by Steve Martin), saw 748 species in one year. But, I also didn't spend $60,000+ birding last year. I mean, I love birds and all, but that is crazy talk.

Turkey Vultures

It is interesting to note though that I have, in my whole birding life, only positively identified 158 different species. That means in just this one single year I saw half the number of species I've ever seen. I thought that wasn't too shabby, especially since I wasn't making any concerted effort to seek out more birds. I just find them wherever I go--to the park, walking to work, visiting relatives, while hiking, etc.

Ring-billed Gulls

I am 100% positive I saw more than 83 species of bird last year. Positive. But, I only count those I am 100% certain about my identification on. Plus, there are whole subgroubs I don't even bother with--like gulls. I am not expert enough yet and they are too darned variable from year to year and species to species. I don't even try to ID them. I can nail the Ring-billed Gull and that is it.

American Avocets

I cannot decide yet--and there aren't many birds about yet so the issues hasn't been pushed--if I will continue recording my annual bird sightings in this manner. I do like keeping personal stats though, so I might. I'd also like to record the first-of-year sightings for birds that share my neighborhood. I've read the consistency of their return dates is quite remarkable. It seems like a fine bit of the natural rhythm of things to be aware of. I shall try.

Western Meadowlark

The list below is no particular order. I swear at one time it was chronological by date sighted, but that is no longer that case somehow. So, there it is.