It has been an amazing January so far. And the month isn't even over yet! If it's one thing I learned about last year's BIG JANUARY, it's not about how many birds you find as it is more about locating the rare birds first. And then finding the easier ones along the way. With that strategy in mind, I've really been able to rake in the birds this month. So here are some of my birder tips for the Big January Challenge.......
Eared Grebe
Study where each of the birds hang out. It took me a year(and I'm still learning about new locations!) to figure out where everything is!
Female Costa's Hummingbird
Take a trip somewhere fun on January 1st to jump start your Big January. It doesn't have to be far, but preferably a place with a different habitat full of different birds that you won't find in your own area. We chose the ocean and found lots of great water birds that of course, are rare to our desert.
Marbled Godwit
Familiarize yourself with human behaviors. People can be difficult to work around....especially the ones with dogs.......and truly the ones that refuse to keep their pets on a leash!!! Once people enter the picture on the trails or beaches, the birds disappear. So understanding human routine is very important. Plus birds are the most active during those early hours of sunrise. If you are chasing a rare to find bird, head directly to the area where it is seen and DO NOT STOP to count the other birds. That can come later. More than likely the bird will be gone if you make too many stops.
Fox Sparrow
As a global community, we have forgotten about working together. Many things are done online or with computers which of course takes the human equation out of the picture. I have found in my own profession that much of the work is now mandated without discussion. Collaboration is just a word. But in the real world it is still very much alive. Teaming up with other birders has allowed us to find greater amounts of birds and share in that celebration. And it is a celebration. The greatest gift for a birder is a life bird. Plus we're really easy to shop for....anything with a bird on it:)
Recently, I teamed up with Gordon's Birding Adventures, Kathie Brown from Kathie's Birds and Melody Kehl(a bird guide who knows her stuff!) and Audubon. And there are more dates with other birders coming up. We can accomplish the impossible with an extra set of eyes or ears. Together we all enjoy the benefits and beauty of this passion we call birding.
Allen's Hummingbird
I will follow up with totals and other incredible birds on part 2 of this "Bigger" January in a few weeks. But for now I'll leave with some special moments while on the trails.
Whimbrel
Willets
Townsend's Warbler
Mexican Spotted Owl
Rosy-faced Lovebird
Greater White-fronted Goose
Harris's Sparrow(juvenile)
Western Screech-Owl
Rufous-capped Warbler
Elegant Trogon
And that's why this January has been a much bigger January:) Stay tuned for more......
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