Our winter getaway to the Adirondacks blended snowmobiling, birding, and classic North Country scenery. Highlights included a lifer Snowy Owl near Lowville, a Hoary Redpoll at Gary Lee’s feeders, and a snowy weekend full of adventure.
The Sparrow Drive at Weekiwachee Preserve is one of Florida’s most memorable winter birding events. We joined a group of volunteers to flush, band, and study sparrows up close—and added Henslow’s Sparrow as our first lifer of the day.
A January trip to the Kissimmee prairie turned into our first true chase of the year. We searched for a Whooping Crane, tallied 63 species, and ended the weekend with perfect weather, great birds, and our first life bird of 2015.
IWe began 2015 with a simple idea that didn’t feel like a real Big Year until April: try for 500 species in the lower 48. Our first day delivered 53 birds, a few surprises, and the spark that carried us through the year.