2024’s birding in High Park & Sunnyside Beach started off on a real high note this year, with the finding of the Bullock’s Oriole by Donald Taylor on 23 February. It was tough to beat the first great bird of the year, but there were other highlights spread throughout the year.

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Bullock’s Oriole - 8 MAR 2024

In order of appearance:

  1. Bullock’s Oriole: 23 FEB
  2. Louisiana Waterthrush: 12 APR
  3. Sedge Wren: 1 MAY
  4. Acadian Flycatcher: 7 JUN
  5. Neotropic Cormorant: Sunnyside Beach - 13 AUG
  6. Field Sparrows breeding: JUN through SEP
  7. Virginia Rails breeding: MAY through SEP
  8. Bald Eagle numbers - 33 in one day, 133 total: SEP through NOV
  9. Wild Turkey: 27 OCT
  10. White-winged Crossbills: 2 NOV
  11. Cave Swallows: Sunnyside Beach - 22 NOV
  12. Mallard x Northern Pintail hybrid (returning for second year): 17 DEC
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Cave Swallow - 22 NOV 2024

I finished the year with 198 species seen within High Park & Sunnyside Beach, with one more species just outside the boundary of this patch. The quest for 200 in one year continues…