The arrival of 2026 is close at hand, which means that it is time once again to review the most noteworthy birding observations of the past 12 months. 2025 was a memorable year on several fronts, featuring a handful of trips away from home, including one across the sea, and a great deal of productive local exploration. My year list total reached 386 species, with 11 lifers and 7 new state birds among them. It is always difficult to winnow out a Top 10 list from the annual bounty of birds, but there were undoubtedly a number of standout species worthy of extra celebration this year.
Read More
I have said it a thousand times, and I will say it a thousand more: autumn is my favorite season in the birding world. The madcap excitement of spring, the vibrant heat of summer, and the quiet coziness of winter all have their charms, but the unbridled potential and protracted duration of fall migration are unparalleled as far as I am concerned. I look forward to the months of September through November all year, every year. 2025 has been no exception, featuring a steady stream of incredible vagrants and magnificent prizes. Even considering my busy schedule at the start of a new schoolyear, there have been ample opportunities to savor the fruits of the autumn avian harvest in the past few weeks.
Read More
Anticipation levels were running high when dawn broke over Randall’s Island on the morning of Saturday, September 27th. With much of the preceding week beset by prolonged southerlies that had stifled migratory movement, a sudden shift to winds from the north on Friday held promise for jumpstarting avian activity in a big way as we headed into the weekend. My friends and I had been eyeing this change in the forecast expectantly for several days, and it was clear from the moment we woke up that the influx had exceeded our expectations. Birdcast data revealed that more than half a million birds were detected passing through Manhattan airspace overnight, and I could hear countless nocturnal flight calls ringing out in the dark skies over my apartment as I prepared to set out for the day.
Read More
For much of my life, my familiarity with the Azores was limited to casual, cursory knowledge. As a child, I first became aware of the archipelago through the lens of its famously isolated location in the middle of the North Atlantic. Animal books and nature documentaries highlighted the diverse array of marine creatures that frequent the surrounding waters, while atlases and encyclopedias revealed tales of fiery origins as a volcanic hotspot. In adulthood, I came to know the islands as a celebrated birding destination for dedicated European listers seeking far-flung North American vagrants. Reports of familiar warblers and waterbirds from my own local patches sending my cohorts across the pond into a manic state of megararity madness never failed to fill me with amusement.
Read More
Spring migration is perhaps the most anticipated event of the birding year. Though other seasons offer their own charms, little can compare to the unbridled vibrancy and lively activity of late April and early May. Though I harbor a personal preference for the slower pace and richer abundance of southbound migration, I must confess that the madcap intensity of spring’s condensed timeline is tough to top, especially on the heels of a winter that lingers a little longer than expected. Despite the unavoidable conflicts of a packed work schedule and a fairly busy social calendar, spring 2025 still managed to deliver plenty of surprising discoveries and memorable experiences over the course of the gradual buildup to peak season.
Read More
The Healy family just got a little bit bigger and a lot more awesome! Earlier this month, we gathered together in the scenic deserts of Arizona to celebrate the long-awaited union of my brother Andrew and his wonderful wife Cali. The ceremony itself was incomparably beautiful, set against a backdrop of Saguaros with the Superstition Mountains looming in the distance, and the reception that followed was a truly unforgettable party! While the wedding was a momentous occasion in its own right, Jacqi and I were particularly excited about the follow-up festivities. The happy couple was kind enough to invite their family and friends to join their unofficial mini-moon adventure: a whirlwind circuit of national parks and other points of interest throughout the Southwest.
Read More
In southern New York, it often seems like winter ends long before spring begins. I am personally a big fan of birding and spending time outdoors during the colder months, and everyone appreciates the energy and excitement of peak migration, but that quiet period in between can be a bit of an awkward transition. Even by the subdued standards of the season, the gradual onset of spring has felt especially protracted and drawn out this year. With much of the month plagued by lingering chill, unfavorable winds, and delayed rains, I knew I would need to put in some substantial effort to get my nature fix in March 2025. Nevertheless, I was determined not to let these challenging conditions stand in the way of checking off items on my preseason to-do list.
Read More
Late winter can be a challenging time for birding, as well as life in general, for that matter. Some of the new year’s novelty has begun to wear off, and the weather often reaches its bleakest depths during this season. For many, the temptation to stay safe indoors while waiting for the arrival of warmer, livelier days at the onset of spring is nigh irresistible. Nevertheless, there are plenty of treasures to be found for those who are willing to brave the dreary conditions, including some of our region’s most exceptional visitors and remarkable residents. I have personally long harbored a bit of a soft spot for February, and this year I was especially determined to make the most of the shortest month by spending as much time as possible exploring the outdoors.
Read More
The start of each new year represents a fresh slate of unknown opportunities, a whole new seasonal cycle to be celebrated and explored. There is undoubtedly an equal measure of hope and dread that comes with the anticipation of life’s next chapter, and at times that uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Personally, I find that centering myself on intentional appreciation of the natural world helps me to temper the fears and amplify the joys of day-to-day life. While environmental awareness is by no means a cure-all, and certainly comes with its own set of issues, I am nevertheless grateful for the lifestyle I live as a birder and an educator. If nothing else, the prospect of starting each January with my self-imposed challenge to find 100 species as quickly as possible gives me something to look forward to during the coldest, bleakest days of the year.
Read More
Here we stand, once again, at the end of another year, and what a year it has been! In keeping with established tradition, the last days of December are a time to reflect on the successes and surprises of the past 12 months worth of adventures. Without a hint of exaggeration, 2024 handily ranks as perhaps the single greatest year of my entire life to date. In addition to my first international trip in over 5 years, as well as a handful of shorter domestic trips, there were a number of thrilling experiences for Jacqi and me to enjoy closer to home, not least of all our long-awaited wedding! An impressive total of 230 avian lifers joined my cumulative career tally over the course of 2024, supplemented by 42 all-new mammals and 17 species of herps.
Read More
