As is my wont at year end it’s time to ruminate on my previous 52 weeks of avian observation (as well like recycle copy from the previous year’s ponderings!) A year list is a pretty thing both as a running report of birds gone by and a driving motivation to seek out more of the same. Every time a glorious new year begins the counter rolls back to zero and every pigeon and starling and is special again at least for a moment or two!

How did 2009 stack up for me as far as listing went? Not as well bad.

This has been a pretty fine year of birding one that took me to some fantastic locations both far from home and close by. My first lifer of the year was the predicted Red-cockaded Woodpecker with Nate in North Carolina. while my last one was completely unexpected. 2009 was also the year I broke my American Woodcock jinx in western New York’s own Owl Woods.

However my year listing lost steam midway through the year. I’ve been so busy that birding particularly its attendant paperwork has been on my backburner. Consequently I’m sure I’ve seen a number of birds this year that I’ve just forgotten to tally.

What will my first life bird of 2010 be? I’m hoping that a winter finch or owl that has previously eluded my gaze will receive up residence in my backyard in the next couple of weeks. Failing that I predict my first life bird of the year will be Eared Dove or some comparable species common to the town of Quito. That’s since my first large trip of the year is ECUADOR! Cool right? I will be the grateful guest of Renato and Paola Espinoza of Pululahua Hostal from 1/22-27. Expect to hear much more about this exciting expedition particularly its dramatic implications for my 2010 year list.

Here’s to the very best of birding in 2010!

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