The last weekend of December 2012 is the last weekend of the entire year. How many of you plan, before turning the page on this eventful year, to try to pad your year list? How will you do it?
Since I didn’t keep a year list in 2012, I feel no pressure to beat the bushes for final ticks. I may just sit back and contemplate how fortunate I’ve been this year to see amazing birds in amazing places with amazing people. Isn’t that what birding is all about? Corey may differ with me on that point, since he’ll probably spend this weekend combing the California countryside for just one or two more birds to bring him even with me in the ABA area. (He’ll never do it!)
How about you? Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding? Share your plans in the comments below.
Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday. Also be sure to come back Monday to share your best bird of the weekend!
Keep your eyes to the skies for crisp winter stars like these stunners over Arctic Bay
I will be doggedly birding my neighbourhood, hoping something interesting lands on a street sign, sails up the creek, or visits my balcony. But I spotted a new bird just yesterday, and two ticks in one week, within such a limited area, seems rather optimistic.
wow, magnificent celestial lights!!! Happy New Year!
I will be in western washington hoping for that rare bird.
I hope to be looking at gulls, ducks, and other wintering birds in the winter wonderland of Western New York.
I’ll be near Hobart, Tasmania looking for Swift Parrots and boosting my Aussie year list.
I’ll be rounding off my year list with a trip to Point of Ayr in Flintshire in North Wales to pick up some wintering buntings and waders. If time allows on Sunday I will visit some Fenn’s Moss nearby to try for Meadow Pipits and Great Grey Shrikes.
I’m back to report I was wrong about not getting any more ticks, this year: I saw a bald eagle, today. (I know, I know, a very common bird, but I hadn’t seen one yet!)
I was supposed to be doing Christmas Bird Counts near home both Saturday and Sunday but Saturday’s count has been postponed until next weekend due to a forecast of snow all day. Sunday’s count may result in a couple additions for my year list, possibly Snow Buntings or a Lapland Longspur or two, but adding to my list won’t be the object of being out.
I’m heading to a 4,000 acre reserve about an hour’s north of my house in Michigan. Definitely hoping to find some unusual birds, but will be happy with whatever I find. I did not keep a year’s list this year, either…but plan to in 2013!
Hey Guyz, just by chance if ur in the Philadelphia Area & interested in a Red Bellied Woodpecker, I think the one in my back yard is here to stay.