The first quarter of 2026 delivered an incredible start to my birding year. With 282 species already on the annual list, I sit well ahead of the pace needed to reach my goal of 375 birds for the year! This early success stems largely from a productive February spent navigating the varied landscapes of Argentina and the stark beauty of Antarctica.
Southern Hemisphere Highlights
The trip south added significant depth to my life list. Near Costanera Sur (in Buenos Aires), I checked off the Rufescent Tiger Heron and watched a flock of Nanday Parakeets flash through the trees.
Moving into the rugged terrain of Argentina, witnessing an Andean Condor on the face of a mountain is a core memory of the trip.
As cool as that was, seeing four different owls (Austral Pygmy Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Burrowing Owl, and Great Horned Owl) was the highlight of the Argentina leg of the trip!
The Antarctic leg of the journey offered a different kind of intensity. Spotting the Antarctic Shag and the opportunistic Brown Skua against a backdrop of ice provided a stark contrast to the vibrant birdlife in the north. These sightings pushed my life list to its current total of 1,382. Of course, I can’t forget the Penguins either! Chinstrap, Gentoo, and Megallanic were all in attendance …
The Local Hunt: The Usual Suspects
Back in Kelowna, my focus shifts to specific local targets. The early spring birds (like the Say’s Phoebe) and my usual flock of White-crowned Sparrows will add to the list.
The Road to 375
With 93 species left to find to hit my 2026 target, my upcoming road trip through Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Texas, Colorado, Utah and Oregon looks promising. These regions offer vastly different habitats and the potential to close that gap quickly. I am also dedicating time this month to auditing my photo archives from Belize—I suspect a few unlogged sightings are hiding in those files.
The chase continues.
Stumblingpiper 