Essays
What a year of eBird checklists taught me
Two hundred and twelve checklists, 168 species, and the surprising value of logging the boring walks.
The numbers
Two hundred and twelve complete checklists last year, 168 species, most of them within fifteen miles of home.
The boring walks
The checklists with nothing unusual were the useful ones. They show when the juncos and White-throated Sparrows arrive, when the first Chimney Swifts come back, and which mornings the lake is empty.
What changed
Birding became a habit rather than an outing. Ten minutes on a lunch walk counts.