After a long wait, I'm finally back at 100 bird species on my yearly list.
Prior to eclipsing 100 species this year, the last time I'd reached that plateau was 2019. Last year, I came close, logging 93 species, so I hoped I could hit triple digits this year. In mid-September, I accomplished the goal with a sighting of a sharp-shinned hawk. I'm currently sitting at 103 species for the year.
One of the special aspects of this year's success arises from my life list. I've added four new species, including the mountain bluebird, the northern shrike, the northern bobwhite, and the chukar, to my life list so far in 2025. That's the most additions to my life list in one year since I added nine in 2019. Without the four new species this year, I'd be one species short of 100, so I deeply appreciate that they came along when they did.
It's great to be back above 100 species for my yearly list, and I'm glad I could meet some new ones in pursuit of that number.
