I hope everyone had as good a year birding as I did. I’ll give my list and totals to start things off.
I posted my list before the end of the year thinking I would not observe a new species. December 23rd was a day that provided me a lovely surprise. Hay seed and I walked across most of the Waterfowl Wildlife Refuge and had 4 Sandhill Cranes fly over in formation. The shape and calls were evident as the group passed. So, now I have another Lifer and my numbers increase by one.
A Ring-billed gull yawns
Here’s an unusual sight for most people. I disturbed about 50 Black and Turkey Vultures from their roosts. The sky filled with dark soaring shapes.
12 second video
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Here are the excellent lists and guideline for keeping you own information and presenting it here. Use any, all or your own methods that connect you with other birders.
There are no “rules” for the Bird Race beyond what you set for yourself. Some ideas for information that you might share here as part of the conversation, any combinations of:
- A total list or count of birds you have seen: monthly, year to date, life
- New birds you have seen, since the last tally
- Interesting behavior you have seen
- Any patterns or changes in patterns
- General location in the country
- Type of habitat
- Bird ID sites or articles you have found helpful, general or bird family specific
- Equipment you use, how you use it, why you got it, where you got it, how to maintain and care for it
- Photo processing tips and storage/display sites
If you move or travel during the year, it would be very interesting to compare the backyard birds you see in different settings!
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My list for 2023 was observed around my home and several sites (patches) within 100 miles of my home.
Terminology
- Patch — A favorite area to bird usually not your immediate backyard
- Observation — Seeing or hearing a bird that you can positively ID
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I spend a lot of time at Sardis Lake, Mississippi because it is within 15 minutes away from my home. There is something new there every day I visit. The birds vary from tiny to huge.
White Pelican, Ring-billed Gull and Forster’s Tern
The ability to id birds is tough for me but, thank goodness there are resources to aid in that process. One example of difficultly are Sparrows. I took this photo December 20th. It took 5 hours to get a name.
Swamp Sparrow
Here is a great list that I use and may help you as well.
2024 has begun and new list will be compiled with old lists expanded and used in comparison. I hope birding becomes a solace of sanity as this election year commences.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
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Please share your sightings, experiences or list of 2023.