The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder

Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder

by Kenn Kaufman

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5031 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	338 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In 1998, Sandy Komito embarked on a year-long quest to see as many bird species as possible in North America. He succeeded in sighting an astonishing 745 species, setting a new world record. This is the story of his incredible journey.

The Big Year

The Big Year is an annual competition in which birders try to see as many bird species as possible in North America in a single calendar year. The competition was first held in 1990, and Komito's record-setting year was the eighth Big Year.

Komito is an experienced birder, and he had been planning his Big Year for several years. He spent months researching bird migration patterns and compiling a list of target species. He also assembled a team of supporters, including drivers, spotters, and fellow birders who could help him find and identify birds.

Komito's Big Year began on January 1, 1998, and he quickly began racking up species. He traveled to all 50 states, as well as Canada and Mexico, in search of birds. He spent countless hours in the field, often driving hundreds of miles in a single day to reach remote birding hotspots.

Komito's Big Year was not without its challenges. He faced bad weather, difficult terrain, and even some dangerous situations. But he never gave up, and he eventually achieved his goal of seeing more than 700 species.

The Birds

Komito's Big Year list included a wide variety of bird species, from common backyard birds to rare and endangered species. Some of his most notable sightings included the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, the California Condor, and the Steller's Sea Eagle.

Komito's Big Year was not just about seeing as many birds as possible. He also took the time to learn about the birds he saw and to appreciate their beauty and diversity. He wrote a book about his experience, and he has since become a leading advocate for bird conservation.

The Legacy

Sandy Komito's Big Year was a remarkable achievement, and it has inspired countless other birders to pursue their own birding goals. Komito's record has since been broken, but his story remains an inspiration to all who love birds.

The Big Year is a testament to the power of human determination and perseverance. It is a story about the beauty and diversity of the natural world, and it is a reminder of the importance of conservation.

Image Descriptions

**Image 1:** Sandy Komito holding a pair of binoculars, standing in a field with a bird in the background.

**Image 2:** A map of North America, with pins marking the locations of some of the birds that Sandy Komito saw during his Big Year.

**Image 3:** A close-up of a bird's eye.

Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder

by Kenn Kaufman

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5031 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	338 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE