For most birders, a new year means a new list. Keeping a year list is a way of summing up. It’s fun to look back at what was seen, and when. In the days before weather radar, it was part of country life. Farmers watched migrating birds to gauge the season’s progress. “First arrival” dates have documented climate change. Henry David Thoreau’s journals show that, ecologically, spring in his area is now about three weeks earlier than in his day.
With a new list, everything is new. It makes everything exciting again—the first Cardinal, the first Chickadee, even the first Grackle.
But, there’s more to listing than just, "‘Ho hum, another year, another Cardinal." Sighting data is still useful. Northern Cardinals were unknown on the island in 1948. Climate change? Not necessarily. On Nantucket, it is a little-known secret that the first Cardinals were actually brought here from Virginia in the 1950’s. Nonetheless, birders’ lists give a picture of their survival and successful establishment.
So, how to keep a list that’s both interesting and useful? It can be a first-seen list with the date, a yard list, an island list, a county, state, country, or world list. The basic information is the species, place, and date. Some birders use printed lists, some have special books, some deface their field guides, some just scribble on the back of an envelope. Some do it electronically on e-Bird, which is now the largest citizen-science database in the world. But no matter how done, it’s also fun.
Call Us: 508.228.9198
Email Us: info@mariamitchell.org