But the main reason I do it is that it compels me to pay attention to the more common birds at least once a year. Birders often focus on finding rarities, on adding new birds to their life lists. It becomes easy -- far too easy -- to take the more common stuff for granted. By keeping my year lists, I make myself go out and search for the common locals that are easily overlooked but well worth finding. For at least one day each year, I actively look for nuthatches and chickadees, robins and doves.
That's what I did this afternoon. It's cool and breezy here today, but crystal clear. And I got out for an hour or so, and did some birding. It's something I want to do more of this year. What did I see? Not a whole lot, but some cool things. A Cooper's Hawk, a Brown Thrasher, a Hermit Thrush, several species of sparrow, including Fox, Swamp, Field, and White-throated. I also saw a pair of bluebirds, some cardinals, and a bunch of other things that I'll probably see hundreds times between now and the end of the year. But for today, every bird was exciting; each one was "new" all over again.
Comments
But it's good to be reminded that it's important to look at 'ordinary' birds, too. Sparrows are as common as muck, but they are very attractive, and I get as much enjoyment out of them as out of a rarity.
Thanks for the comment.
Around my humble abode in a city (Hendersonville, TN), we actually have a fairly nice selection of birds. I've seen cardinals, blue jays and bluebirds, mockingbirds, robins, and a couple kinds of finches. We even had a woodpecker. Then we had the common mallards, canadian geese, herrons, and mudhens around the lake.
It always amazes me how much one can see in cities and towns, particularly around small ponds and lakes. Radnor Lake in Nashville is actually one of the best birding spots in the entire state.
Perhaps it's better I'm not a birder... Happy New Year!