When someone mentions that they are doing a Birding “Big Year,” immediately thoughts of the famous 2011 movie “The Big Year” with Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin come to mind. However, my Merced County “Big Year” might be best called a Casual Big Year. While my primary birding destinations will be in Merced County, I will not be attempting to track down each and every rarity that is reported there.
Beginning of Year eBird Statistics:
Life Merced County Species as of 12/31/2020: 178
Life List GOAL by 12/31/2021: 235
Year List Goal by 12/31/2021: 225
2021 Species Updates as of 1/5/2021
Life List = 178
Year List = 96
Jim’s Smugmug Merced County Big Year Album
eBird Hotspot Checklist Anecdotal Posts
BIRDING THE MERCED RIVER
2021 Merced County Species-to-Date (as of last checklist)Life List = 179Year List = 99 HENDERSON PARK Nestled next to the Merced River, surrounded by riparian trees and home to a myriad of ornamental evergreen and deciduous trees in an open setting, Henderson Park was our target for the morning. COLLEGE CREDIT FOR BIRD WATCHING – … Continue reading BIRDING THE MERCED RIVER
I Tried to Catch the Fog, but I Mist
Merced County 2021 Checklists 3, 4 and 5 2021 Merced County Species-to-Date (as of last checklist)Life List = 178Year List = 89 San Luis NWR–West Bear Creek Unit As Benji and I approached the West Bear Creek Unit of the San Luis NWR, I knew it was going to be a challenge. Visibility was no … Continue reading I Tried to Catch the Fog, but I Mist
Merced County 2021 eBird Checklist #2 – Merced NWR
2021 Merced County Species-to-DateLife List = 178Year List = 76 After a delightful tour around the San Luis NWR – Waterfowl Tour Route, my next destination would be the Merced NWR. Infamous for its auto tour route that takes visitors on a loop through time with thousands of Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese … Continue reading Merced County 2021 eBird Checklist #2 – Merced NWR
