February 2023 Species Count- 12

Technically, February is not over. It’s not even 8pm on Tuesday, Feb 28. However, I am not likely to see any more new species this month since I am inside and working on the computer, it is quite dark out, and the Lab and I have closed out our day with a total of 6.5 miles of walks.

So- that’s a wrap.

Twelve year-bird species this month. It was nice to add the Great Horned Owl and the Rusty Blackbirds to the list- we didn’t see Rusty’s in 2022. So, in the end, nothing really out of the ordinary, but its nice to have a “record” birding month so early in the year. Our previous best was 9 in Feb 2020- just before the world went all pandemic-y. So, fifty-five species for the year-to-date. We have averaged 51 on this date over the last 5 years.

Looking forward, March is typically our second best birding month of the year- because we almost always leave the state for a weeklong trip towards the end of the month. We will not be taking a trip this year- so I don’t hold a lot of hope at getting 50 to 60 species, but you never know. I hope to do a bit more in-state birding travel this March in an attempt to bolster the numbers.

Here’s the official Feb species list-

• 44 American Goldfinch
• 45 Belted Kingfisher
• 46 Sharp-shinned Hawk
• 47 Redhead
• 48 Red Crossbill
• 49 White-breasted Nuthatch
• 50 Great Horned Owl
• 51 Green-winged teal
• 52 American Widgeon
• 53 Rusty Blackbird
• 54 Wild Turkey
• 55 Pine Siskin