The start of a new year is fun for birders like me – it means I can count and celebrate seeing birds for the first time that year!! Lots of birders love to celebrate their first bird of the year, and every year the American Birding Association picks a bird of the year. (The Bird of the Year for 2023 is the Belted Kingfisher!)
Do you remember the first bird you saw in 2023? Think hard because I believe that first bird sets the tone for your year. Mine was a Carolina Chickadee, a friendly and sociable bird. I’m thrilled it was my first bird! Here’s a little guide to what your first bird means for 2023.