New Year, New Goal
Every New Year’s Day, I set a birding goal for myself, and this one is no exception. The last few have been lofty, and I’ve done some sort of arduous big year for three straight years. The goal for 2025 is a bit more simple and stress free because I need a break. Here it is: I want to see one new species of bird in Carbon County. That’s it, just one.
A single species will bring me to an even 200 for the county. I like nice round numbers, as do many birders. I started 2024 at 186, and ended at 199. I’m pretty sure I can do this in 2025.
Over the past three years of living here, I’ve been seeking out new places to bird, traveling the county from end to end. I think about birds that are common in the state, that I haven’t yet seen in Carbon County, and I try to find locations with habitats where they are likely to occur.
It is New Year’s Day, and I am thinking about my goal, speculating as to what my 200th will be. It could be an owl, since I have only seen Great Horned out of the states seven or eight owl species. It might be a wayward rarity that is only passing through during spring or fall migration. Perhaps it will be a common breeder that I’ve just happened to miss in the three years I’ve been here, a species like Ruffed Grouse or Olive-sided Flycatcher. Whatever it is, it will be a celebration.
Happy New Year, all. May all sentient beings enjoy happiness, and the root of happiness. May your birding dreams come true in 2025. This is the fourth year I’ve been writing here, and I appreciate all of you joining me in my birding.
Please do share your birding or general resolutions in the comments. We should all celebrate each other, and cheer one another on.
That's a good goal, good luck with finding your 200th species in the area! I love birding in my local area and am often surprised by what i see.
What a cool goal! I love the idea of focusing attention back to your own neighborhood and looking for something new and (possibly) surprising. Another Substacker (https://northernnaturalist.substack.com/) recently wrote that he is planning a Big Year for 2025, but just in his county of residence. These ideas of exploring what's around your local area really appeal to me!
My birding goal is learning to identify five new birds by sight AND sound. I really struggle with bird songs!