On New Year’s Day, 2013 I began my “big year,” keeping track of the number of different birds I could spot in a year. On that day I identified 12 birds right here at Bluebird Prairie: Black Capped Chickadee, male Goldfinch, male and female Downy Woodpecker, male Red-bellied Woodpecker, male and female Wild Turkeys, male and female Cardinals, male Junko, American Crow, and White Breasted Nuthatch.
This is a birder’s famous task (I am one, but a novice). I really was inspired by the movie “The Big Year” with Owen Wilson, Steve Martin and Jack Black. I recommend it. It is a real contest — I think the national winner last year IDd over 700!! My modest count for my big year is 82.
Below is the last bird identified, number 82, right outside my office window, it is an immature Red-Tailed Hawk. It was a good thing I got a photo since the ID was difficult – no red tail, but I found it in the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America. This is my favorite bird book (recommended by bird expert, daughter Cully). Immatures of all forms have gray-brown tails with many blackish bands; otherwise heavily brown streaked and spotted below. Another tip were white feathers on the legs that were in the drawing in the book.
Of course I am an amateur and could be wrong…. still it was a lot of fun. I have birds from home, Mexico, I-94 in Illinois (Golden Eagle), California (Rufous Hummingbird), Washington County Fairgrounds (Eastern Kingbird), New York City (European Starling). Here are some I have photographed. It would have been nice to get a photo of every one, but I’m not that good.
Jan. 1, 2013
two Downy Woodpeckers
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Wild Turkey INSIDE the fence! – female — males have the blackish breast tuft.
Later in the year — two Goldfinches and Cardinal – male
Red-winged Blackbird — red wing flash is seen in flight
MEXICO!! Magnificent Frigate Bird -soaring very high
Great-tailed Grackle — beggars at the outdoor bar and restaurant
Last, but surely not least, Scarlet Macaw
(Yes, I know, these are captive birds… a few more from Mexico were in Jorge’s Zoo — but hey, they are birds and I saw them!!)
82!! That is awesome, what great fun. Amazing what you find all around you once you start looking. XO Cully
Of course you realize you are a big inspiration for me with the birds… you taught me how to identify birds with the books: look at the range, what to check — beak shape, color, leg shape color, the little details that distinguish one from the other.