A Big January And Big February Works For Me

 I've been doing a Big January for the last several years. It's a fun way to start the year and shorten the winter. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, Big January is an annual tradition when birders make a list of all the species they see in the month of January. The basic goal of many who participate in Connecticut is to reach (or exceed) 100 species before January ends.  This year I've decided to add to my list until the end of February. By extending the time into February I won't be in such a rush to try to reach 100 species.  (top photo Snow Bunting).

  Listing is not at the top of my list when it comes to birding-related activities but somehow, it motivates me to get out of the house on those cold winter days.  (photo is a Bonaparte's Gull from last January)

 If I hadn't been out on a cold January morning looking to add to my list then I never would have had such a great view of this Eastern Screech Owl.

I know the tradition is for the month of January only but whose to say you can't make your own rules? I never end up submitting my January list anyway. As far as I'm concerned it's more about the journey than the destination. It's about livening up a cold Connecticut winter by seeing lots of great birds!