A birding Big Year is a personal challenge or an informal competition among birders who attempt to identify as many species of birds as possible by sight or sound, within a single calendar year and within a specific geographic area. (Wikipedia)
How many different bird species could you dream of seeing, capturing a sound recording of or photographing from January 1 to December 31 of any given year? Have you ever considered doing an American Birding Association Area Big Year? How about a county or statewide Big Year? Why would you want to even do one? How does one plan out all the logistics to ensure that each of the important states are visited at the most opportune times? Can you do this alone, or do you need to seek out help? Come and learn about the successes, the mishaps, the lessons learned along the way, the hilarious birding stories, the new life-time friends met, and the joy of reporting 801 bird species during 2023! But be warned … if you attend this talk, you just might get the urge to plan a Big Year yourself!
Please join the Friends of the Robbins Library and Big Year Birder Gene Ellison to see tons of beautiful bird photographs while hearing one birder’s tale about a 12-month quest of a lifetime! The event takes place in the Community Room (lower level) of the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Admission is free and open to all.
Gene is a lifetime resident of Massachusetts and is a hunter, fisherman, conservationist and passionate birder who leads dozens of walks in Massachusetts. He is retired from the investment business as well as the Professional Bass Fishing Tournament circuit. He greatly enjoys volunteering with Mass Wildlife and with Mass Audubon at their family birding & fishing events. Recently, Gene joined the Jocotoco Foundation as its US Ambassador to raise awareness for the conservation of critical land that supports endangered birds, butterflies, insects, mammals and plants.