2020 Big Year (NY tri-state area)

Once the pandemic hit last year, and all long travel got cancelled, I decided to take the opportunity to do something the birders called a "Big Year" - namely, trying to see as many species of birds as possible in a span of a single calendar year. Only in my case, the year would go from March to March (because March was when we all realized that we need to make new plans for that year), and bounded by a 2-hour-driving radius from my house (because anywhere farther wasn't safe). 

I saw all the regular birds, and chased as many rarities as I could. 2020 turned out to be a banner year for many rarities! It was exhausting, and I am don't think I'll do it again - the chase takes away from enjoyment. In the end though, I totaled up 299 species. I didn't go after three chase-able birds in the fall, so I could have gotten it over the 300 mark, but 299 is not bad at all for this region! 

Here are some highlights:

• Farthest bird: Parasitic Jaeger, Cape May NJ
• Rarest US vagrant: Hoary Redpoll, Sherwood Island State Park CT
• Rarest international vagrant: Curlew Sandpiper, Meadowlands NJ

And here are the photo highlights:

Great Egret:

Osprey with a very surprised fish:


Harlequin Duck:


Northern Flicker:


Family of Tree Sparrows:


Turkey Vulture:


Bobolink:


Great Horned Owl:




American Goldfinch:


The sign of the times:


American Black Duck and tons of sandpipers (I think Semipalmated sandpipers, but could be Least):


Common Gallinule, also known as a moorhen:


Ruby-throated Hummingbird:


A very cold Great Blue Heron: