It is definitely going to be hard to top last year’s productivity. That 400 threshold was an incredible surprise for me and fueled significantly by trips to Texas, Arizona, Las Vegas and a late run to the Florida Panhandle. This year we will not be going to Arizona, however, in its place we will be heading up to the northeast for Ruger to compete in the CPE Agility Nationals. Hoping to pick up a number of lifers from that trip as that will be my first time in that region outside work assignments. It will be fun to see how this year plays out. Best of all, I will be back on my feet from last year’s ankle surgery which did cost me several months of solid birding time – thoughts of how much over 400 I could have been without that setback. Ron actually had a rather down year last year and is looking for redemption in ’26. If he is able to meet us down in Texas again this year it should give him a good boost for the year. As in the previous years, I’ll do my best to keep this page updated with our progress as we proceed through the year.
To another year of birding … and brotherly competition!
Quick summary of 2025 counts:
The Cumulative Species graph for 2025:
Daily Species 2025 graph:
Monthly Species 2025 graph:
Comparison with 2024 graphs:
Updates:
01/1/2025: This turned out to be my worst first day of birding in at least the last 3 years. We are on our way to Big Bend National Park and just did runs through our two campgrounds on this day to see what was out – also gives me some new counties on my overall birding map. The morning started out in Oklahoma City East KOA. This place had a really nice set of birding trails through the woods along with some retention ponds. Nothing beyond the normal birds, but a solid start to the year. The second campground in Abilene added a few more of the usuals including the Great-Tailed Grackle and the House Sparrow which I am sure will see more of ha. The highlight of the day was driving towards Seymour, TX and noticing a flock of at least 70 Sandhill Cranes in the fields to the right of the highway. The earliest I have ever checked those off and by far the most I have ever seen at one time.
Life Intrigued 