We spent late May chasing West Coast Florida specialties — from Sarasota’s Wilson’s Phalarope and “Dot” the Tropical Kingbird to Cape Coral’s Burrowing Owls and the breeding colonies of Fort Myers Beach. Nine year birds later, our 2015 total climbed to 340.
Magee Marsh lived up to its “Disneyland of birding” reputation as we added 101 species, 25 year birds, and 4 lifers during the Biggest Week in American Birding. From warblers at arm’s length to rare sightings and van‑tour surprises, Ohio delivered a festival to remember.
Bird your local patches — they’re where friendships form, hotspots reveal their secrets, and familiar trails deliver unexpected birds. Spring migration across Pinellas, Sarasota, and Bradenton counties brought Gray Kingbirds, Bobolinks, Barred Owls, and the steady progress we needed to keep our 2015 Big Year moving forward.
Our two days at the Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival delivered everything from Painted Redstarts on Mingus Mountain to Lark Buntings, Western Screech‑Owls, and a final lifer, the Lesser Nighthawk. A perfect, bird‑packed chapter in our 2015 Little Big Year.
Our eight‑day Grand Circle Tour through Arizona and Utah delivered unforgettable scenery and a strong mix of regional specialties. With 36 year birds and six lifers added along the way, this trip marked a turning point in our 2015 Little Big Year.
A spring migration trip to California followed by a spontaneous dash to Texas added 16 year birds and moved our 2015 list from 176 to 192 by April 11. These back‑to‑back trips marked the moment our Little Big Year truly began to take shape.
We spent a two‑day spring migration weekend birding around Tampa Bay — Saturday with Audubon and Sunday with Phil. Early warblers, shorebirds, and sunshine made it a warm, easy start to the season and a great weekend with friends.
We spent a snowy weekend birding across New Jersey and Long Island, from DeKorte Park to Montauk Point. Sea ducks, sparrows, gulls, and wintering waterfowl made for a classic Northeast cold‑weather trip and added 26 new year birds to our 2015 list.
We spent two windy days birding around Lake Okeechobee, scanning the marsh edges for Snail Kites and picking up a few new year birds along the way. With herons, egrets, and wide‑open views, it was a classic South Florida birding festival.
We joined the St. Petersburg Audubon Society for their monthly walk at Boyd Hill, spotting 41 species and chasing a Cave Swallow at Lake Maggiore. A Sunday visit to Kapok Park added more year birds and a peaceful finish to a great weekend.