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.
We spent the weekend in Miami for the International Boat Show and managed to fit in some birding along the way. From parakeets near 42nd Street to shorebirds on South Beach, this sunny February trip added eight year birds and plenty of surprises.
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.