I have said it a thousand times, and I will say it a thousand more: autumn is my favorite season in the birding world. The … Read More
Fantastic Fall Vagrants
This fall has been one for the record books. All across the continent, a diverse array of incredible records has left the birding community dazzled. … Read More
Secrets of the Deep: Pelagic Legends Come to Life
Pelagic birding is one of my absolute favorite forms of birding. There’s no thrill quite like an expedition at sea to seek out wildlife that … Read More
Old Hood, New View
At the end last year, I bid a fond farewell to the lovely neighborhood of Astoria, where I had lived since December 2019. I spent … Read More
From Summer Breezes to Fall’s First Fronts
I’ve often said that people who are more actively observant of the natural world around them are more acutely aware of the seasonal cycle. When … Read More
A Tale of Two Cuckoos
The cosmopolitan family Cuculidae contains some of the world’s weirdest and most wonderful species of birds. I am not shy about my fondness for cuckoos, … Read More
Finch Flight Frenzy
“Mr. Healy, I have a question I’ve been meaning to ask you.” My coworker approached me as I was stowing my binoculars after a brief … Read More
The Satisfaction of Discovery
The excitement of a rarity chase is one of my favorite aspects of birding, but it’s nothing compared to the thrill of finding something unusual … Read More
Fun Challenges and Cautionary Tales from Fall Banding
Fall migration out east is a conflicting time for birders: the rarity machine is usually churning out goodies after goodies. Also, fall warblers dressed in … Read More