My Not So Big Year: The Word is Bird
I had no idea there existed a birdwatcher Olympics. I learned of this by reading Sneed Collard III’s book Warblers and Woodpeckers, which is a journal of sorts how he and his teen son go for a Big Year.
The book is entertaining and illuminating as Sneed and his son bond over birding. This led me to watch the movie The Big Year. It was okay. I like birds but not enough to fly to Alaska to tick them off a list. Also, not a fan of Owen Wilson.
So I am inspired to do my own Big Year. There won’t be any extravagant trips planned which means the birds I count are ones mainly from my backyard. Granted, July is a bit late getting into the game yet looking for birds is different than at birds. I know there is an official list; however, I will work with what I have available.
So far:
- Crow
- European Starling
- Mourning Dove
- Swallow (Tree? Violet-Green?)
- Robin
- Chickadees (Black-capped and Chestnut-backed)
- Hummingbirds (they are too fast to identify)
- Nuthatch
- Sparrows (I get them all confused)
- Finches (ditto)
- Hawk (no idea)
- Bald Eagle
- Golden Eagle
- Junco
- Western Tanager
- Cedar Waxwing
- American Goldfinch
- Bullock’s Oriole
Question:
Are you a birder (much more serious than a birdwatcher) or someone who simply enjoys birds?
I’m somewhere in between, but after watching Jack Black’s dedication in The Big Year–he listens to bird songs on his headphones?–I’m thinking I don’t know much about birds after all.
Pam Webb 