This year I’ve set my sights on a Milwaukee County Big Year. It gives me an excuse to explore parts of the county that I might not visit otherwise. It will also highlight the natural diversity one can find in even the most urban of settings. There will be birders who see more birds than me this year. I’m ok with that. I’m just paying attention to what I see on my day to day adventures.

A Big Year gives you 12 months to see as many species of birds as possible. On the one hand it is like a marathon. You’ve got plenty of time to find birds. While some species are abundant residents all year long, others are just here for a season or even just passing through on migration. This creates a bit of urgency to spot some species, making it more like a 12 monthly sprints.

In the first three months of 2013 I’ve seen 49 species of birds. In addition to the backyard feeder birds,  I’ve mostly found winter gulls and waterfowl. As the temperatures rise, there has been a decrease in some of these species. Some birds that overwinter in Milwaukee are headed back north for a short nesting seasons. I saw a pair of Snow Bunting yesterday at Lakeshore State Park, and I swear they were melting before my eyes as the temperatures reached 50 degrees for the first time this year. Earlier this week I saw Common Redpoll another visitor that won’t be lingering around much longer.

Here we are on the 1st of April. I’m starting to see an increase in sparrows. These seedeaters often winter in the southern United States and are some of the earliest migrants to show back up in the northern tier states. No joke a stunning rufous red Fox Sparrow was a delight to see this morning. It was the 50th species of bird I’ve seen in Milwaukee County this year!

As the sprint of spring migration picks up, I hope it doesn’t take 3 months to see my next 50 species of birds. Either way, I’m in it for the long haul. I missed out on some winter visitors, so I’m already looking forward to November and December.

And we’re off. A Big Year is more a marathon then a sprint, so I’m happy with my January effort. I wrapped up the month with 30 species of birds spotted in Milwaukee County.

Nearly half of my total came on New Years Day. I picked up many of the common backyard feeder birds without even getting off the couch. A winter visitor, the American Tree Sparrow was an appropriate species to start my year with.

I picked up a handful of species going about my day-to-day. I saw Rock Pigeon while driving down South Kinnickinnic Avenue and a Red-tailed Hawk perched along I-894. Birds really are everywhere. I found the first Red-bellied Woodpecker of my year when I was taking out the garbage at work.

Lake Michigan Duck Watch

After a stretch of dreary days, mostly spent inside writing, I took advantage of a sunny afternoon to stop by Grant Park on Milwaukee’s southside. I’d been there earlier in the winter and saw a Townsend’s Solitaire that had been hanging around. I wasn’t able to find the bird in January though. If I were super concerned about seeing the species I would have been at Grant Park at sunrise on the 1st. I ended up dipping on the solitaire, but I enjoyed a gorgeous winter day outside still. Highlights weren’t avian, but instead I saw a real nice 5-point (that’s a 10-pointer for all you easterners) White-tailed Deer buck.

By far my favorite birding in January was watching the Lake Michigan duck show. My dog-walking route takes me along the lakefront. It’s been great to watch the ebb and flow of open water during the month. Ducks have always been some of my favorites. Despite the winter weather, they are in breeding mode. The males are sporting their finest feathers, and many are showing off with elaborate posturing. I’m especially impressed by the Red-breasted Mergansers. They hold their head down, thrust it out, do a quick curtsey, and finally surf across the water.

Honestly my entire list could be duplicated in a single Big Day. That is fine by me. My approach is to pay attention to birds for thirty-one leisurely days of birding instead of cramming all the fun in a 24-hour period.

You don’t have to be hardcore to appreciate nature. You just have to pay attention. To celebrate this fact, I’ve decided to do a Milwaukee County Big Year in 2013. I’m going to keep track of all the bird species I see this year. Birds I see in my backyard, while I’m walking the dog, on my commute to and from work. Any bird I see in Milwaukee Country during the year.

I’m excited to highlight the diversity one can find in even the most urban of settings. Since I’m new to the area, I’m also eager to more fully explore my surroundings.

January 1, 2013

You’re not going to find many worms in Wisconsin in winter no matter how early you wake up, so I started my Big Year closer to 10:30 a.m. than to dawn. I began my bird tallying quest by watching feeders for the day.

As expected, the first few species of my new year were the seed eating regulars. My first bird of 2013 was a classic winter visitor, the American Tree Sparrow. Then a flock of House Sparrows moved in for a quick stop. Under the leafless shrub I spotted a Dark-eyed Junco scratching at the snow, doing the junco hop.

Back at the feeders, Black-capped Chickadees and both male and female Northern Cardinals stop by for brunch. A single male House Finch perched at the tip-top of the tree briefly too, while a White-breasted Nuthatch spiraled down the trunk.

Both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers hit up the suet, while a flock of American Goldfinch camped out on the thistle feeders.

Across the way, an adult Cooper’s Hawk surveyed the scene. I’d hoped it would make a flyby the feeders at some point, but perhaps it caught the early bird as it was content to nap in the trees.

Taking advantage of a lull in the feeder activity the feeders were topped off. A hefty does of cracked corn wasn’t enough to entice the Wild Turkey back even though he has been seen with some regularity these last few days.

The freshly filled feeders did bring in a Red-breasted Nuthatch and a handful of Mourning Doves, bringing my total for the day (and the year) to 13 species.

Tomorrow is to be another crisp cold day much like today. I want to hit up the Lake Michigan shoreline. Try to add some wintering waterfowl to my list. With a little luck, I’ll find that Snowy Owl that I’ve seen off and on all winter long too.

Jack Black, Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin took their Big Year experiences to the extreme corners of the continent. I’m planning on focusing on the birds I can find in my own neck of the woods.

I think it will be fun to document what I see this year. From the trails of Wehr Nature Center to the South Shore beach, I invite you along for my adventure. Just don’t expect to count many of the early birds.