I completed the first month of my Washington County Big Year with 69
species. Highlights were nineteen waterfowl species including all
three mergansers (piece of cake up north, but tricky down here), both
vultures, peregrine falcon, killdeer, woodcock, and eight sparrows.
Strangely absent has been brown creeper! I’ve been in the right
habitat several times but to no avail. No worries—I’ve got eleven more
months to track one down. My goal is 200 species by December 31st.
That’s going to be tough down here, but I’m convinced it’s possible.

I can already attest that doing a local big year is a blast. Most of
us cannot afford the time and money required to pull off a Kenny
Bostick-level big year, but sticking to a single county or area keeps
the goal reasonable and allows you to discover and appreciate your own
neck of the woods. Already I’ve discovered birds just twenty minutes
from home that I didn’t know were there. Since I can see them so
easily elsewhere in the state, I had never bothered to look for them
here.

A special satisfaction comes with discovering your own birds and
hotspots. Don’t wait for the experts to tell you where to go—BE the
expert on your own home front, and then share what you find.

Good luck to everyone else attempting county big years!

Kyle Carlsen
Vincent, Ohio

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