My First Bird of the Decade

My first bird of the decade was....(drumroll please)....a Black-capped Chickadee!

Now, folks who consider themselves "serious birders" would be disappointed by such a common bird being the first they'd see this decade.  In fact, they probably didn't even look at their feeders on New Year's morning so that they could travel to a cool location to find a less common bird to be their first bird of the decade.  Maybe a Rough-legged Hawk or an Hudsonian Godwit.  Just not a chickadee, please! 

Me?  I was totally content with having this common little cherub, which just happens to be my favorite bird, be my first bird of the decade.

Here's the other birds I saw on January 1st, starting my 2010 year list at 10 (not counting the unidentified hawk).  Having barely stepped out of the door all day, it's not too bad.

First bird:  Black-capped Chickadee
Second bird:  Tufted Titmouse
Third bird:  Dark-eyed Junco
Fourth bird:  Blue Jay
Fifth bird:  Hairy Woodpecker
Sixth bird:  Downy Woodpecker
Seventh bird:  Red-breasted Nuthatch
Eighth bird:  Mourning Dove
Ninth bird:  Unidentified hawk
Tenth bird:  American Goldfinch
Eleventh bird:  (First of season) Pine Siskin (an individual sisken amongst a flock of about 2 dozen goldfinch)

In 2008, my year list was 100 and in 2009, it increased to 128.  Who knows what 2010 will hold??

Did you keep a year list in 2009?  If not, why not start one right away for 2010?

Comments

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Eileen - Blue Jays were my #4 but have been VERY numerous this winter. They're very piggy!

[Eileen]

The Chickadees are great birds. My first bird was a bluejay looking for peanuts.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Lindsey - Yeah chickadees! Sounds like a good start to 2010 list.
Lana - good to hear you're reporting often to eBird. Happy New Year.
SciGuy - and what was YOUR first bird?
Con - Happy New Year to you and nice to hear from you again.

[Con Daily]

I love chickadees, too. Though I didn't keep track and haven't checked my photo files, my first bird of the year could have been a mountain chickadee or a dark eyed junco, both very common and loved as much as any less frequent sighting. Happy New Year.

[sciencedude288]

One of my favorite birds. Definitely not a bad one to start off the new year.

[Lana]

Congrats! I saw a lot of birds that were new (to me,) on New Years Eve, myself. I keep a list of birds we see at home, but beyond that I'm just trying to report more regularly to eBird.

[Lindsey D.]

Hooray! My first bird of 2010 was a black-capped chickadee as well! Even if I didn't want them to be my first for 2010 it was "too bad, so sad" because they hang out right near the door. :)

My 2009 list came to 93 species.

It's only been 4 days into the year and I've already added a pileated woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, common mergansers, two red-tailed hawks, and a bald eagle to my list. I'm so happy!