Mid‑July in Florida may bring heat and doldrums, but it also delivers surprises. From Smooth‑billed Ani and Egyptian Geese to a wild American Flamingo and a dark‑morph Short‑tailed Hawk, our weekend chases turned up some of the state’s most exciting rarities.
Southeast Arizona delivered everything it’s famous for: Sky Island canyons, desert grasslands, legendary guides, and a lineup of specialties from Elegant Trogons to Violet‑crowned Hummingbirds. Three days across the Huachucas, Patagonia, and Las Cienegas made this one of our most memorable birding trips.
Our June Adirondack trip unfolded against the backdrop of a statewide manhunt, but the birding was unforgettable. With Joan Collins guiding us through flycatchers, woodpeckers, Gray Jays, and a lifer Bicknell’s Thrush, the North Country delivered some of its best summer specialties.
A long offshore run into the Gulf Stream delivered shearwaters, storm‑petrels, dolphins, and one unforgettable sunrise on our 2015 Florida pelagic birding trip.
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.