The only being more scared of the badgerinator than the Long-Billed Curlews… was me.

Read this paper so Andrew’s endless hours driving this demon chimera through the hole-filled prairie are appreciated!

Picture by Dave DeReamus! The og ebird checklist: ebird.org/checklist/S2...

Also, the bino-blast by me that led to the ID, described by critic @tessarhinehart.bsky.social as “heroic” LOLLL 😭

3. PURPLE SANDPIPER! A bird I knew nothing about before moving to Maine, but entranced me with its weird life history and behavior. It became the bird I was most excited to see when I was supposed to be counting seabirds lol💜💜

2. ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD!! This has been my fav U.S. hummingbird since ever just because I’m obsessed with its colors. I finally got to see one when visiting Long Beach for ESA!

With 2024 coming to an end, here is my top three lifers of the year:

1. NORTHERN HAWK OWL!!! I spent at least 7hrs looking for this bird and it was 100% worth it. I would happily let it kill me.