I’ve spent the last 2 weeks searching hard for 4 more birds. I would browse ebird looking for posts from others that listed birds I haven’t yet seen. Then, I’d go see if I could find them. I never did identify the sparrows or hawks I was really focusing on. But, I did find other newbies.
Sandhill Cranes
I went looking for these guys one other time & didn’t find them. So, I went back to look again. This time I saw hundreds, maybe thousands.
2 Snow Geese
2 Tundra Swans
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ring-billed Gulls
Greater White-fronted Geese
The last bird I get to add to my list are these geese that flew over.
I did it! I found 6 new birds! Happy day! That’s 2 more than my goal. And, all these birds were found within a couple hours from our house.
I was getting very nervous that I was going to be so close, yet not quite reach the 100 birds. I was sure I actually had seen 100 different bird species. The problem was being able to identify them correctly.
The reason I set this goal for myself was to learn about the many different birds. I enjoy taking pics of birds & I want to be able to identify them in my photos.
I did learn a lot. I learned the names of birds that I had never heard before. I learned we have far more great blue herons & bald eagles around than I ever knew. I have much more to learn, but this was a great start.
This was a fun goal to pursue. Sometimes I was able to explore on my own, usually my kids came along & a couple times even the hubby tagged along. It didn’t cost any money & it was a great excuse to get outside.
Part of me is relieved this is over. The other part of me wants to get back out there & find the birds I know are there that I haven’t identified yet.
Reaching my goal is a great way to end the year!
BIRD SPECIES SEEN IN 2013 = 102 of 100!
