It’s been a tough slog the last few weeks, with only 2 new birds since January 2. Spending every day with the same 20-30 species, and probably the same individual birds, is a real change of pace for me. Normally by this time in January I’d have over 90 species for the county, and have logged hundreds of miles driving around to look for them all. So far this January I’ve seen 42 species in the yard and a mere dozen or so other species elsewhere in the county. It’s driving me a little crazy waiting for the birds to come to me!
Here are a couple eBird reports for the last few days
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 19
To keep myself going, I make sure to get out at least long enough to get my 20 Bird Minimum Daily Requirement. I’m also filling in sound recordings for the audio big year. Yesterday I added a recording of a calling Tufted Titmouse.
It has been interesting to watch for Canada Goose movements. The last few days have been better for seeing flocks going over my house, so I’m scanning them for rare geese. So far no dice, but it keeps me out looking!
Here are the species I saw in my yard in December, that haven’t shown up yet in January: Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, Greater White-fronted Goose (Code 4), Common Raven (Code 3), Common Grackle, Purple Finch (Code 2).
Waterfowl are moving–with most of the small ponds in the area frozen over, they are accumulating on the reservoirs and different species seem to show up on different days, so I know they are moving in the area. How to see or hear them from my yard is the mystery!
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