FINALIZED – Department of Defense Birding Challenge

While I was working for Army Headquarters the last nearly 16 years, I became involved in the Department of Defense – Partners in Flight Program (DoD PIF). As the Chief of the Branch that supported the program, I also was able to contribute over the course of that time. A fun activity that was conceived by members across the Army bird conservation community was this DoD Birding Challenge… why not make work fun?

So, after retiring, I continue to participate in this “birding contest”. My trip counts and any other birding I accomplish are reflected monthly in the contest submission. Though I do not live in a “hotspot” for birds where diversity is busting at the seams like southern Arizona or California, I do have a time advantage over some still employed. In any case, it allows me to stay in touch with my birding counterparts across the Army. My count totals are:

• January – 87 species
• February – 134 species
• March – 109 species
• April – 122 species
• May – 149 species
• June – 98 species
• July – 181 species
• August – 115 species
• September – 125 species
• October – 124 species
• November – 115 species
• December – 49 species

As migration comes and goes, you will see the numbers rise and fall across the year. Check out my past trips linked below for more birding details.

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January 2026 – Minnesota

I took a road trip to Minnesota this winter. The goal was similar to my NH trip from last year: try for northern wintering species like Bohemian Waxwing, Redpoll, etc. The trip began early January 12th, the temperature at 32F. Little did I know, those would be the highest temps I would encounter for the whole trip. Over the course of the trip, temps went from a high of 51F on day 2 to -8F on day 10. But I was prepared for it.

The trip included visits to various parks and natural areas in MD, WV, PA, OH, IL, IN, WI, and MN. I visited over 60 natural areas in just two weeks. 73 species were found over 12 days. The highlights were Pine Grosbeak and Canada Jay, both found in MN. I did not see the 2 diurnal owls (Great Gray and Northern Hawk) during the period, unfortunately. Some great looks at Red-Breasted Merganser, and Common Goldeneye. I got pictures of both the life birds encountered. Had nice looks at both light and dark phase of Rough-Legged Hawk. Had a great drop in of many Redpolls right along the road.

I spent a ton of net time owling at night in the hopes of the night owls, Sax Zim Bog has both Great Horned and Barred…nothing. Then the front came through and temps dropped to single digits. After 3 days looking at Sax Zim, I headed home. A storm was on the way at home in MD, so any notion of staying longer was out the window. But while traveling back through the great lakes region, I did find some gulls and Trumpeter Swan. On the 20th , I found a Merlin in IL. I saw some Kingfishers and finally got Red Headed Woodpecker. Finally, as I was coming in from WV, I found a Barred Owl at Canal Lock 18 near the Potomac River in MD. Again, 73 species in winter isn’t bad for northern residents. I flushed a flock of waxwings at Sax Zim, but could not get good eyes on them so could not confidently say they were Bohemian. I returned home on the 24th, just in time for the recent snow storm.