Although we didn't go birding today, we still observed our normal New Years Day tradition of noting the first bird that we see or hear to start the year. I didn't hear my first bird until around 10 a.m., when I took our new puppy outside and heard one of the many calls of a Dark-eyed Junco, closely followed by seeing and hearing an Anna's Hummingbird.
In past years my first bird species of the year has varied widely, from the aforementioned hummingbird to a European Starling, a Common Raven and a Northern Flicker. The idea with noting the first bird of the year is that the species holds a special focus for the coming year. My first bird this year is very common in the Pacific Northwest, where it is most commonly known as an Oregon Junco. But I will see what new tidbits I can learn about this common species during 2008. If past years are any indication, it is likely to be the first of more than 200 bird species that I will see in Washington state this year. I have seen more than 200 species of birds in my home state each year since the year 2000.
On to another birding year!
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