As 2022 draws to a close I feel compelled (for me if no one else) to do a summary of my year.
This is my third full year birding and I learned more this year about the birds than I would have thought possible – so much more to learn. The birds are endlessly fascinating! I am extremely lucky to be retired and able to focus on the birds as much as I want to. I am in awe of the number of birds that my employed friends manage to see.
My final 2022 tally is Life birds – 318, RI Life birds – 311, RI 2022 – 292. I have added 17 new birds to my RI Life list and I ended up in what I define as the top tier of eBirders in Rhode Island for the second year. This will likely be the last year I devote this much time & energy to the chase, as I am starting to travel and won’t be in Rhode Island as much.
Rhode Island birders make a wonderful community, willing to share expertise and great finds. I feel it is my responsibility to find and share as many birds as possible along the way. Here is what I contributed this year.
• Re-found Western Tanager missing since year end on Jan 4th
• I was a Yellow-breasted Chat magnet during January – 5 of them found me – Magic!
• First of Year (FOY) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Allen Harbor
• FOY Black-throated Green Warbler at Ell Ponds
• Heard FOY Least Bittern with Maria Mainelli Bloom at Trustom Pond
• Saw FOY Saltmarsh Sparrow at Succotash Marsh
• Found an elusive Tennessee Warbler on dirt road between Benson preserve & Gilbert Stuart
• Re-found Common Gallinule at Mud Pond that was reported in Trustom the previous week and not seen since.
• Whimbrel-Palooza at Quonnie (saw 15 at one time)
• Marbled Godwit at Quonnie
• Ruff at Quonnie
• Gray-cheeked Thrush at Galilee Bird Sanctuary
With the exception of the Gray-cheeked Thrush I had the pleasure of helping other birders find the birds. Three of these birds were found at my patch - I hope more birders will become finders (perhaps in their own patch) before they become chasers.
I have to make a special mention of my teachers (other than the birds), Sue Palmer, Tim Metcalf, Bill Thompson, Matt Schenck (Who is in PA), Sam Miller & Jan St. Jean – all exceptional birders, generous with their expertise & sightings. I don’t know everything & sometimes it feel like I don’t know anything – it is always good to have resources. Thank you!
At midnight the 2022 totals will be gone and everyone starts again at zero. I look forward to what birds 2023 will bring.
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