I’m not usually one for New Year’s Resolutions but as I reflect on my birding adventures over the last year I realize there were several things I wanted to do but never got around to. Attending the Festival of Cranes and celebrating the return of Sandhill cranes to Bosque del Apache is one terrific example. And I can’t for the life of me remember why I didn’t make that event. So this year I’ve decided to be more intentional in my birding pursuits by proactively planning activities I know will enhance my birding adventure! And I’ve decided to make sure I do one new thing each month. So, with the New Year upon us, here is my list of self-promises for the year:
- Maintain and update regularly our range map of the birds in our backyard, tracking the bird species that visit each month and then comparing those visitors to last year’s visitors in the same month.
- Keep an eagle eye out for new bird species visiting our backyard and learning as much about them as possible.
- Visit a local birding hot-spot over a weekend or day trip and identify birds we don’t usually get in our own backyard.
- Attend a birding festival I haven’t been to yet, and more specifically attend the Festival of Cranes!
- Encourage new species to visit our feeders by placing out a feeder designed just for them.
- Attract new bird species to our backyard by adding a new and different food source; this year I’ll try fresh fruit.
- Determine to see a bird I’ve been wanting to see and make the necessary arrangements to do so; the Barn owl is coming to mind at the moment.
- Join a local Audubon chapter and get involved in their events and activities.
- Plant a bird-friendly hedge, tree, or climbing plant that is native to our region.
- Learn to make a DIY food source like home-made suet.
- Freshen up our backyard by adding a new garden accessory, like a new bird house, feeder, or bath.
- Visit a birding retail store and see what’s new on the market.
What do you think? Any of these resonate with you? If so, feel free to borrow any of my resolutions for yourself. I don’t mind.
And from my backyard to yours… Happy Birding!