First ever year I made MVP Gold on Alaska Airlines! i.e. over 40,000 miles flown. All within the continental US. That goes a fair way to explaining my bird list totals, though surprisingly not a huge amount of my time was spent birding on many of those trips. People to see, events to attend, that kind of thing. I think though that this one is a record for me.
259 birds, 32 life list additions. If my Sibley’s app is up to date, that brings me up to 372 species on the life list. I’m pretty proud of that given how late I came to birding! (And I just realized that 259 is a fairly large proportion of 372: which means if I’d just started this year, I’d be well on my way.)
- Anhinga 11/29 Merritt Island NWR, FL
- Auklet, parakeet 6/24 Chiswell Islands, AK
- Auklet, rhinoceros 6/24 Chiswell Islands, AK
- Avocet, American 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Blackbird, red-winged 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Blackbird, rusty 5/12 Anchorage, AK
- Bluebird, eastern 8/18 Annapolis, MD
- *Bluethroat 6/9 Seward Peninsula
- Brant 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Bufflehead 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Bulbul, red-whiskered 1/23 Los Angeles Arboretum CA
- *Bunting, lazuli 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Canvasback 5/12 Anchorage, AK
- Cardinal, northern 8/17 Washington DC
- Catbird, gray 8/21 Chincoteague, VA
- Chickadee, black-capped 1/6 Anchorage, AK
- Chickadee, boreal 4/7 Anchorage, AK
- Chickadee, Carolina 8/21 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Chickadee, chestnut-backed 2/13 Des Moines Beach Park, WA
- Coot, American 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Cormorant, double-crested 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Cormorant, pelagic 2/11 Coupeville, WA
- Cowbird, brown-headed 8/21 Chincoteague, VA
- Crane, sandhill 4/28 Seward, AK
- Creeper, brown 2/11 South Whidbey State Park, WA
- Crow, American 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Crow, fish 8/21 Chincoteague, VA
- Crow, northwestern 4/28 Seward, AK
- *Cuckoo, yellow-billed 8/21 Chincoteague, VA
- Curlew, long-billed 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Dipper, American 4/7 Anchorage, AK
- Dove, Eurasian collared 10/29 Bellingham, WA
- Dove, mourning 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Dove, white-winged 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Dowitcher, short-billed 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- *Duck, American black 8/21/18 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Duck, harlequin 2/13 Des Moines Beach Park, WA
- Duck, long-tailed 6/8 Nome, AK
- *Duck, mottled 11/28 Merritt Island NWR, FL
- Duck, ring-necked 5/12 Anchorage, AK
- Duck, ruddy 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Eagle, bald 2/12 Skagit Valley, WA
- Eider, common 6/9 Teller, AK
- Egret, cattle 8/22 between Wallops and Chincoteague, VA
- Egret, great 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Egret, reddish 11/28 Merritt Island NWR, FL
- Egret, snowy 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Falcon, peregrine 6/24 Chiswell Islands, AK
- Finch, house 1/21 Irvine CA
- Flicker, northern 2/11 Bush Point, Whidbey Island, WA
- Flycatcher, alder 9/22 Anchorage, AK
- *Flycatcher, olive-sided 5/26 Anchorage, AK
- *Flycatcher, vermilion 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Gadwall 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Gallinule, common 11/29 Merritt Island NWR, FL
- Gnatcatcher, blue-grey 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- *Godwit, bar-tailed 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Godwit, marbled 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Golden-plover, American 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Golden-plover, western 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Goldeneye, Barrow’s 2/13 Des Moines Beach Park, WA
- Goldeneye, common 2/11 Coupeville, WA
- Goldfinch, American 1/24 Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden CA
- Goldfinch, lesser 1/24 Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden CA
- Goose, cackling 6/9/18 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Goose, Canada 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- *Goose, Egyptian 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Goose, greater white-fronted 3/24 Spokane WA
- Goose, snow 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Grackle, boat-tailed 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Grackle, common 8/19 Chincoteague, VA
- Grackle, great-tailed 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Grebe, Clark’s 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Grebe, eared 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Grebe, horned 5/12 Anchorage, AK
- Grebe, pied-billed 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Grebe, rednecked 4/28 Seward, AK
- Grebe, western 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Ground-dove, common 11/29 Titusville, FL
- Guillemot, pigeon 2/11 Bush Point, Whidbey Island, WA
- Gull, Bonaparte’s 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Gull, glaucous 6/9 Nome, AK
- Gull, glaucous-winged 2/11 Mutiny Bay, Whidbey Island, WA
- *Gull, great black-backed 8/20 Chincoteague, VA
- Gull, herring 2/13 Des Moines Beach Park, WA
- Gull, laughing 8/19 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Gull, mew 4/28 Anchorage, AK
- Gull, ring-billed 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Gull, western 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Harrier, northern 2/12 Samish Flats, WA
- Hawk, Cooper’s 10/30 Sedro Woolley, WA
- Hawk, red-tailed 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Hawk, rough-legged 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Hawk, sharp-shinned 2/24 Seward, AK
- Heron, great blue 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Heron, green 8/19 Chincoteague, VA
- Heron, little blue 8/21 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Heron, tri-colored 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Hummingbird, Allen’s 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Hummingbird, Anna’s 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Hummingbird, black-throated 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- *Hummingbird, blue-throated 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- *Hummingbird, magnificent 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- Ibis, glossy 11/28 Merritt Island NWR, FL
- Ibis, white 8/19 Chincoteague NWR, VA
White ibises and a few egrets, too, Assateague Island - Ibis, white-faced 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Jaeger, long-tailed 6/9 Nome, AK
- Jay, blue 8/21 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Jay, Mexican 4/15 Madera Canyon, AZ
- Jay, steller 2/12 Bayview, WA
- Junco, dark-eyed 1/23 Los Angeles Arboretum CA
- Junco, yellow-eyed 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- Kestrel, American 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Killdeer 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Kingbird, eastern 8/22 Chincoteague, VA
- Kingfisher, belted 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Kinglet, golden-crowned 2/11 South Whidbey State Park, WA
- Kinglet, ruby-crowned 2/13 Des Moines Beach Park, WA
- Kite, white-tailed 1/24 Ballona Wetlands ecological reserve CA
- Kittiwake, blacklegged 4/28 Seward, AK
- Lark, horned 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Longspur, Lapland 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Loon, common 2/11 Mutiny Bay, Whidbey Island, WA
- Loon, pacific 2/11 Bush Point, Whidbey Island, WA
- Loon, red-throated 5/12 Anchorage, AK
- Magpie, black-billed 1/6 Anchorage
- Mallard 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Merganser, common 2/24 Seward, AK
- Merganser, hooded 2/12 Deception Pass State Park, WA
- Merganser, red-breasted 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Mockingbird, northern 1/21 Newport Back Bay CA
- Murre, common 6/24 Chiswell Islands, AK
- Murre, thick-billed 6/24 Chiswell Islands, AK
- Murrelet, Kittlitz’s 6/24 Northwestern Fjord, AK
- Murrelet, marbled 2/24 Seward, AK
- Night-heron, black-crowned 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Nuthatch, red-breasted 2/11 South Whidbey State Park, WA
- Osprey 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Owl, great horned 4/18 Casa Grande Ruins National Park, AZ
- *Owl, Northern pygmy 4/15 Madera Canyon, AZ
- *Oystercatcher, American 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
American Oystercatcher at Assateague Island - *Parrot, red-crowned 1/22 Claremont CA
- Peafowl, Indian 1/23 Arcadia, CA
- Pelican, American white 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Pelican, brown 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Phalarope, rednecked 5/12 Anchorage, AK
- Pheasant, ring-necked 3/24 Spokane, WA
- Phoebe, black 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Phoebe, eastern 11/29 Titusville, FL
- Phoebe, Say’s 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Pigeon, rock 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Pintail, northern 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Pipit, American 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Plover, black-bellied 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Plover, semipalmated 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- *Ptarmigan, rock 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
Rock ptarmigan, between Nome and Teller on Red Knot Hill where we did not see any red knots. - Ptarmigan, willow 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Puffin, horned 6/24 Chiswell Islands, AK
Horned puffins, Chiswell Islands - Puffin, tufted 6/24 Chiswell Islands, AK
- Quail, California 10/28 eastern WA
- Rail, Virginia 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Raven, common 1/6 Anchorage
- Redhead 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- *Redstart, painted 4/15 Madera Canyon, AZ
- Roadrunner, greater 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Robin, American 2/10 Mulkiteo, WA
- Sanderling 1/21 Bolsa Chica State Beach
- Sandpiper, least 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Sandpiper, semipalmated 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Sandpiper, spotted 5/26 Anchorage, AK
- Sandpiper, western 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- *Sapsucker, yellow-bellied 8/18 Annapolis, MD
- Scaup, greater 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Scaup, lesser 5/26 Anchorage, AK
- Scoter, surf 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Scrub-jay, western 1/23 Los Angeles Arboretum CA
- Shoveler, northern 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Shrike, loggerhead 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Shrike, northern 2/24 Seward, AK
- Siskin, pine, 2/24 Seward, AK
- *Skimmer, black 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Snipe, Wilson’s 1/24 Ballona Wetlands ecological reserve CA
- Solitaire, Townsend’s, 4/7 Anchorage, AK (heard)
- Sora 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
Sora at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary - Sparrow, American tree 2/24 Seward, AK
- Sparrow, fox 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Sparrow, golden-crowned 2/13 Des Moines Beach Park, WA
- Sparrow, house 1/23 Los Angeles Arboretum CA
- Sparrow, Lincoln’s 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Sparrow, rufous-crowned 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- Sparrow, Savannah 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA [Beldings]
- Sparrow, song 1/21 Newport Back Bay CA
- Sparrow, white-crowned 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Starling, European 1/24 Playa Del Rey CA
- Stilt, black-necked 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Swallow, barn 4/17 Kansas Settlement, AZ
- Swallow, cliff 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Swallow, tree 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Swallow, violet green 5/12 Anchorage, AK
- Swan, trumpeter 2/12 Skagit Valley, WA
- *Tattler, wandering 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Teal, blue-winged 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Teal, cinnamon 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Teal, green-winged 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Tern, Arctic 4/28 Seward, AK
- Tern, Caspian 5/15 Seattle, WA
- Tern, Forster’s 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- *Tern, royal 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Thrasher, brown 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- *Thrasher, crissal 4/17 Pearce, AZ
- Thrush, grey-cheeked 5/26 Anchorage, AK
- Thrush, hermit 1/24 Ballona Wetlands ecological reserve CA
- *Thrush, Swainson’s 5/26 Anchorage, AK
- Thrush, varied 2/11 South Whidbey State Park, WA
- *Titmouse, bridled 4/15 Madera Canyon, AZ
- Titmouse, oak 1/24 Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden CA
- Towhee, Abert’s 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Towhee, California 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- *Towhee, green-tailed 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Towhee, spotted 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Turkey, wild 4/15 Ramsey Canyon, AZ
Wild turkey displaying for us in Ramsey Canyon. He blocked the road for a good 10 minutes. I guess he liked the Buick Encore more than I did. - *Turnstone, ruddy 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- *Vireo, plumbeous 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- Vulture, black 11/28 Merritt Island NWR, FL
- Vulture, turkey 4/15 Madera Canyon, AZ
- Wagtail, eastern yellow 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- *Wagtail, white 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Warbler, Arctic 6/9 Nome, AK
- Warbler, blackpoll 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Warbler, orange-crowned 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Warbler, palm 11/29 Titusville, FL
- Warbler, Townsend’s 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- Warbler, Wilson’s 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Warbler, yellow 6/9 Seward Peninsula, AK
- Warbler, yellow-rumped 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Waterthrush, northern 5/26 Anchorage, AK
- Waxwing, cedar 8/22 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- Whimbrel 8/20 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- *Whistling duck, black-bellied 11/30 Titusville, FL
- Wigeon, American 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Willet 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
- Woodpecker, acorn 1/24 Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden CA
- Woodpecker, downy 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Woodpecker, gila 4/15 Brown’s Canyon Ranch, AZ
- Woodpecker, hairy 4/7 Anchorage, AK
- Woodpecker, Nuttall’s 1/24 Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden CA
- *Woodpecker, pileated 8/18 Annapolis, VA
- Woodpecker, red-bellied 11/29 Titusville, FL
- Woodpecker, redheaded 8/21 Chincoteague NWR, VA
- *Wood-pewee, eastern 8/18 Annapolis, MD
- *Wood-pewee, western 5/26 Anchorage, AK
- Wren, Bewick’s 1/24 Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden CA
- Wren, cactus 4/17 Saguaro National Park, AZ
- Wren, canyon 4/16 Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
- Wren, Pacific 2/11 South Whidbey State Park, WA
- *Wren, sedge 11/29 Titusville, FL
- Yellowlegs, greater 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Yellowlegs, lesser 1/22 San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary CA
- Yellowthroat, common 1/21 Bolsa Chica ecological reserve CA
BlueRavenBirders 
Wow! What a great year!
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An amazing year!
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Oh Wow! What a fanatastic idea, to collect your sightings on all your travels. I now have a new bucket list addition. Thanks! And good luck to you completing your list.
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Impressive!
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