Kick Off the Year with Birdwatching Goals and Lists

For birdwatchers, New Year’s Day isn’t just a time for resolutions—it’s the perfect day to start fresh birdwatching lists and set new birding goals. Many birders kick off January 1st with a special birdwatching outing, eager to see what species they can spot first in the new year and get that fresh list started! Here are some popular birdwatching traditions and creative list-keeping ideas that make the start of the year exciting for bird enthusiasts.

Start a New Year List
One of the most popular birdwatching traditions is keeping a Year List. This running tally includes every bird species seen from January 1st to December 31st. Many birders head out on New Year’s Day hoping to spot as many species as possible, setting a strong foundation for their annual count. 

Set a Green Birding Goal
Eco-conscious birders might opt for a "Green List," counting only the birds seen while traveling by foot, bike, or other non-motorized transport. This approach combines birdwatching with exercise and sustainability, making every sighting a bit more rewarding. 

Yard, Feeder, and Patch Listsb
Birders can also keep specialized lists based on specific locations:

• Yard List: Birds spotted in your own backyard.
• Feeder List: Birds that visit your bird feeders.
• Patch List: Birds seen at a favorite local birding spot.

These lists help birders stay connected to nature close to home and notice seasonal changes.

Bird a Day Challenge
Try the "Bird a Day" challenge. Each day, choose one bird you saw that day and add it to your list—without repeating any species. How long can you keep the streak going? This challenge encourages birders to seek out new species and venture into different habitats. But even on days you can't manage a full birdwatching excursion, you've got to add something to your list, so familiar, backyard birds will get their chance to extend your list. If you're planning any travel in the first part of the year, you can use this to your advantage in the Bird a Day challenge by adding birds you're not likely to see on your home turf.

Set a Personal Birding Goal
Many birders create custom goals, like:

• Spotting a certain number of bird species in the year, or in a month.
• Birding in a new location each month.

Tracking progress toward these goals can be fun and motivating.

Record and Share Sightings
Using platforms like eBird, birders can log their sightings, keep records, and contribute valuable data for conservation research. Some birders expand their goals by photographing or recording the calls of as many birds as possible throughout the year. Birders can also use eBird to find birds they need for their lists by setting up personalized alerts for their goals.

Why Start on January 1st?
Starting on New Year’s Day feels like a symbolic fresh start. It’s a chance to reset, focus on nature, and set new challenges. Whether keeping a simple yard list or chasing a record-breaking year, birdwatching traditions make the start of the year exciting, fun, and meaningful.

We've got a few more days before the new year starts, so you've got a little bit of time to think about what kind of birding or bird-related goals you'd like to aim for in 2025. What are your plans?