A Personal Big Year (3 Viewers)

[Maroon Jay]

I am going on a Big Year, but I am not trying to set any records or break anyone else's record. I am just trying to break my own record. My best year was 2012, when I saw 389 species. My goal for 2025 is 500 species. I will not be birding 24 hours per day starting January 1st, but I will visit several countries on three continents, so getting 500 should not be a problem. This might be a small number for some people, but it will be a big year for me. I will spend the first two weeks with common birds around my home in Alberta, Canada, and then off to the Falkland Islands.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Big listers might make ‘common folk’s’ efforts seem relatively insignificant but I think the idea of doing a comparatively relaxed ‘big year’ is very cool!

 

[Maroon Jay]

Big listers might make ‘common folk’s’ efforts seem relatively insignificant but I think the idea of doing a comparatively relaxed ‘big year’ is very cool!

For a "Personal Big Year", a person must get only one more species than their best year. There is no need to compete with people who see thousands.

 

[halftwo]

Interesting, MJ.

I must do a count of my year, as I'm doing seven countries (so far) starting with Uganda in a couple weeks.

 

[Farnboro John]

I hope your year goes well and look forward to updates on here?

Cheers

John

 

[halftwo]

I'll try & remember, John - must make a note!

 

[Maroon Jay]

Interesting, MJ.

I must do a count of my year, as I'm doing seven countries (so far) starting with Uganda in a couple weeks.

How many species did you see in your best year?

 

[halftwo]

I've never kept note. This year I did Chile, Spain, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, & Mauritius, so it might be worth a tot-up!

 

[Maroon Jay]

January 1st. Happy New Year birders. I had a quiet day at home and a great dinner. I did some birding around the house. Only common Alberta species. Black-billed Magpie, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Sparrow and Rock Dove. Six down and 494 to go. I will be birding within 100 km of my home for the next eleven days before I travel to another country.

 

[Maroon Jay]

There was no birding today due to the weather. With temperatures around minus 20 C, it was too cold to go out very long. For those unfamiliar with the weather in western Canada in January, it can be minus 35C or more. But it can also be above freezing. It goes up and down. It is supposed to be better next week. So, I am restricted to birding around the house for a few days. It is not important. Any common birds that I miss, I can get them when I return from South America.

 

[Owene]

I am going on a Big Year, but I am not trying to set any records or break anyone else's record. I am just trying to break my own record. My best year was 2012, when I saw 389 species. My goal for 2025 is 500 species. I will not be birding 24 hours per day starting January 1st, but I will visit several countries on three continents, so getting 500 should not be a problem. This might be a small number for some people, but it will be a big year for me. I will spend the first two weeks with common birds around my home in Alberta, Canada, and then off to the Falkland Islands.

Good luck. I went for 500 last year and ended on 491. I think having the number to aim for got me out in the field and made it all a bit more fun to the extent that I really didn't feel bad about falling just short. It was so far past my own previous best that it felt great anyway and it sounds like you have a similar attitude. Make sure you report back here. The falklands should be amazing

 

[HallelujahAl]

Yes good luck and hope you achieve your goal. I’d love to do something similar, I’m planning on travelling to Norway, Faroe’s and Iceland this year as well as getting around the UK a fair bit so I’m looking forward to what I will see… not sure what Iceland will have to offer in early May though?

 

[Maroon Jay]

I’d love to do something similar

Go for it! The year is young. How many species have you seen in your best year? You only need one more to break your record.

 

[raymie]

I went for 500 in 2024 and managed it, with 516 at the end of the year! I don't think I'll be able to do it this year.

 

[Maroon Jay]

I went for 500 in 2024 and managed it, with 516 at the end of the year! I don't think I'll be able to do it this year.

Give it a try. If you don't make that is ok. There is always next year.

 

[Maroon Jay]

It's still too cold to go birding for a couple more days. Around minus 20C. Minus 40 further north. I managed to see a couple of species from home. Common Raven and House Finch for a total of eight so far. It's off to a slow start but should pick up soon.

 

[fufuda]

good lucky. hope you will see all the birds on earth soon.

 

[pbjosh]

I am going on a Big Year, but I am not trying to set any records or break anyone else's record. I am just trying to break my own record. My best year was 2012, when I saw 389 species. My goal for 2025 is 500 species. I will not be birding 24 hours per day starting January 1st, but I will visit several countries on three continents, so getting 500 should not be a problem. This might be a small number for some people, but it will be a big year for me. I will spend the first two weeks with common birds around my home in Alberta, Canada, and then off to the Falkland Islands.

Numbers are relative, just as is any achievement in any sport or past time. For me it’s always been about personal goals and about trying to improve, as measuring myself against others in anything I’ve ever done has always seemed a bit futile. There can only be one or a few people at the pointy end of any competition so best not to let birding become a competition as we’re all very unlikely to be at that pointy end.

I inadvertently had my highest year list ever in 2024, only realized it in the last week of the year or so. It’s not a metric I really pay a lot of attention to but it was a reminder that I had a fortunate year and a lot of great birding and some great trips with friends. I might also enjoy a calmer 2025 and a bit more bike touring instead of making all my trips about birding.

Enjoy your year!

 

[Maroon Jay]

It warmed up today to minus seven, so I went out for a while to a city park. Only one new species: Downy Woodpecker. There are not that many birds in western Canada during winter. Most of them migrate away for the season. One week to go before heading south.

 

[EugeneVanga]

I am going on a Big Year, but I am not trying to set any records or break anyone else's record. I am just trying to break my own record. My best year was 2012, when I saw 389 species. My goal for 2025 is 500 species. I will not be birding 24 hours per day starting January 1st, but I will visit several countries on three continents, so getting 500 should not be a problem. This might be a small number for some people, but it will be a big year for me. I will spend the first two weeks with common birds around my home in Alberta, Canada, and then off to the Falkland Islands.

Hi Guys
Hobe you to get your Good Goals. Madagascar 'll be in of your destination??