Birding is funny. Today seemed pretty much like every other day–bird activity seemed normal, I didn’t do much more than I normally do–but for some reason I was able to find 3 new birds for the year today.
It started off super cold, only 6F to start this morning. Scanning the hills to the north, I picked up a very distant Common Raven soaring over the hills at 7:45 for my first new bird of the day.
It was super cold, and I was struggling to get my 20 bird minimum, and actually went inside just before 9am. But from in the house I saw an accipiter flash across my yard so I ran outside and was able to see a Cooper’s Hawk hiding in my grape tangle. Unfortunately after one series of shots my camera battery shut down, and I wasn’t able to get good photos.
Back in the house, while looking at the crappy photos I got and listening to the OldBird21c mic out in the yard, I heard a finch fly over at 9:28am. Checking the recording it turns out to be a Pine Siskin call for my 3rd new bird of the year.
Why was today any different from any other day? It’s beats me. But any day I can get three new birds for the year is a great day. Even if it is miserably cold!
