Archives for #BigYearAtHome

What is it about birding? Learn about the joys of birding from a panel of experienced birders – and new birders who are just getting started. This recorded panel is intended to create a sense of belonging and community for people of color.

Our December #BYAH challenge is to winterize your gardens with birds in mind. During winter all animals still need quality food, water, and shelter to survive and, as habitat loss and climate change continue to impact these necessities. By winterizing your garden for birds, you can help birds survive— and even thrive— over winter, so that they may have more productive spring.

While birding is a relatively accessible hobby in general, some may find it challenging to get into. There are specific barriers that BIPOC communities face. Sam DeJarnett and other partners are helping to overcome barriers that make birding less accessible and attracting groups representing a broad range of demographics. They are helping the BIPOC community, as well as other beginner birders, find their place in the birding community.

For our November challenge the #BigYearAtHome Team encourages participants to 1) learn more about #UrbanBirding Hotspots and Urban National Wildlife Refuges near you and 2) go and visit one of your local #UrbanBirding Hotspots or Urban National Wildlife Refuges. Other #UrbanBirding resources and tips are also provided. Plus, learn more about the US Fish and Wildlife Services Urban Bird Treaty Program and participating cities.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Bird Treaty Program supports public-private partnerships in U.S. cities that are working to make local communities healthier places for birds and people. In Portland, Oregon, Urban Bird Treaty Program partners are modeling “What it Takes to Develop a Bird-Safe City.” Learn more about the Urban Bird Treaty program and get ready to get involved as the #BigYearAtHome Team gears up for our November #UrbanBirdTreaty challenge!

Autumn migration is the first major challenge in the life cycle of migratory birds as young birds leave their nests and make their first flights to wintertime places where they have never been before. For our October #BigYearAtHome challenge we invite you to come together as a part of World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) to celebrate this phenomenon of migration around the world. In October, WMBD will take us to sites where our shared birds stop to rest and refuel and to the places where they breed. Join the WMBD community at BIRD DAY LIVE (www.birddaylive.com)!

Our September #BigYearAtHome challenge involves making our homes and places of business more bird friendly by helping birds to avoid colliding with our windows (#BirdSafeWindows). With fall upon us, birds are starting to flock and migrate, and now is the time to ensure our windows are safe for the birds that are passing through.

In celebration of the August #BigYearAtHome challenge, #BirdingFromHome, we feature a fun article by Mike Green about his 2021 Green Big Year.

Our August #BigYearAtHome challenge is to bird watch from home (#BirdingFromHome). This challenge is inspired by the relatively new green birding movement. You can participate by simply stepping outside to see what you can see (or hear) from your home. Or, if you want, take the next step into the #GreenBirding movement and go bird from home by walking or biking.

In July we challenge our #BigYearAtHome community to 1) Explore a National Wildlife Refuge and 2) Take a Kid Birding.