Crossing Over

Still plugging away on the Big Year list and with that I have some reflections now that Im 1/4 of the way through the year. My goal when beginning this project was not to see as many birds as I could, but rather to deepen my experience of birding. There are many vagrants popping up all over New Jersey now but I dont think burning a tank of gas chasing each of them is really what I want this experience to be about. That being said, here are a few more additions as we head into Spring 2014. Starting off with the remaining cold waterbirds such as the Red-necked Grebe #116 and Common Mergansers #117. Many nesting shorebirds are starting to return such as this American Oystercatcher #118. I've also had a Pine Warbler #119, Palm Warbler #120, American Woodcock #121, Eurasian Tree Sparrow #122, Virgina Rail #123, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher #124 and Chipping Sparrow #125. And last but never least, the powerful Osprey #126!