Your Big Year is Here

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Details: Created on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 23:47; Published on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 23:47; Written by Abe Connally

What are your new year's resolutions for 2012? Did you keep your resolutions for 2011? While the top resolutions each year include losing weight, learning something new, traveling, or getting out of debt, here's a new challenge you can take on this year: spot all the bird species in Big Bend National Park.

Among the movies of 2011 that didn't do so well in the theaters is The Big Year — a story about birdwatchers competing in a challenge to spot rare birds. The term "big year" is apt, since for birdwatchers, a big year is a real challenge—one to spot as many species of birds in the US in one calendar year. bird

There are about 675 bird species in the United States. The record for a big year is well over 700 birds. How is that possible? Because, while only 675 species are recorded to live in the US, occasionally other rare birds wander in, allowing the count to go even higher. The record holder, Sandy Komito, listed in her big year species from Mexico, Europe, and even Asia!

How does Big Bend fit into all of this? Because 450 species of birds reside either year round , seasonally or migrate through the area. That's over 65% of the bird species in the US, and 60% of the number of bird species Sandy Komito spotted. In other words, you could stay in Big Bend for the whole year, and still find more bird species than the average birdwatcher. Not to mention the fact that many kinds of bird cross the Rio Grande from Mexico, and therefore may be found in no other place in the US except Big Bend. The Colima Warbler is one example; you may never see one north of the border if you don't go to Big Bend, where they mate every spring.

So why not take the challenge? Hop on down to Big Bend and see how many birds you can spot. There are several quality bird-watching guides you can get a hold of to help you. As soon as things warm up this spring, you can try and snap a picture of the Colima Warbler and other rare Mexican and Texan birds. If you're really dedicated, you can try your own Big Bend Big Year, and try and spot all 450 species in 2012.

More about birding in Big Bend >>

Worth a Thousand Words

There are some views you just can't take in all at once. Like a dazzling sunset or breathtaking field of wildflowers—you just can't appreciate such beauty in the moment, a moment that is often over before you realize it, the forms and colors of that marvelous vista already fading in your memory. Perhaps it was with the goal of preserving such scenes that the first camera was invented, a goal that you may still share when you visit a place as beautiful as Big Bend and the surrounding area. Why not take a look through our new and improved photo galleries to see what amazing sights have been preserved by astounded visitors and appreciative locals? When you see the mountains, plains, flora, and fauna displayed in those images, you'll be glad the gallery contributors took their camera along.

Birding in Big Bend

Among the many activities available in Big Bend National Park that highlight the region's diversity of wildlife, birding can be enjoyable and promising. Big Bend engulfs a vast area, bounded by the the rushing Rio Grande valley to the south, containing high peaks in the Chisos Mountains, and boasting both desert and forest climates between the two. It embodies the very diversity that makes America great, providing countless opportunities to spot more than 450 birds in one area.

Your Big Year is Here

Big Bend Video Collections

Big Bend has some of the most spectacular scenery in Texas, if not the entire US. Our big sky country rivals any other state and our night skies are as dark as anywhere for excellent star gazing. The beautiful light and great scenery make for a photographer’s paradise.

Trails and Wildlife

There are many things you may love to do in Big Bend National Park in the heat of summer, but running or jogging is probably not one of them. With 90+ degree temperatures, there simply is no such thing as a nice July run in West Texas. With the dry weather we've had this year, you have truly hostile workout conditions. That all changes this time of year, though, as temperatures drop and the sun gives us a break for a few months. What a great time to get out on some trails in Big Bend!

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