“It’s a matter of luck.” Corbin Bernsen’s definitive line in the movie, The Big Year (2011), says it all. The game, run by the American Birding Association, is to see as many species of birds as possible in a single calendar year, and this year, long-time Friends member, Dr. Jonathan Dowell is playing.
Dr. Dowell kicked off his 2026 Big Year by spending January 1st and 2nd at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, where he got off to a great start by recording sixty species, including a Pyrrhuloxia and three Great Horned Owls. He also captured this gorgeous photo showcasing the exquisite morning light in the sunrise fog at the refuge Flight Deck.
Photo by Jonathan Dowell
Just like in the movie, Dr. Dowell’s Big Year will involve travel from coast to coast, visiting numerous National Wildlife Refuges along the way, including Aransas, Santa Ana, Tijuana Slough, Arapaho, Jocelyn Nungaray (formerly Anahuac), Florida Keys, Sachuest, Block Island, Maine Coastal Islands, as well as scores of other National Parks and private refuges, such as Dry Tortugas, Smith Oaks, Corkscrew Swamp, and Kenai Fjords.
“The project is daunting,” says Dowell. “To visit so many places, just to have a chance to see over 700 species of birds, is fabulous. To roll the dice on having good weather and process all those photos – and still find time to do laundry – makes this a good game. I just wish my wife Tessa could be with me while visiting all these fantastic places, since she’s usually the one who finds the birds. I just take their pictures.”
According to Dr. Dowell, “This project highlights just how essential our National Wildlife Refuges are. We must increase our support for these lands and the expert staff that make them possible!”
He recommends to anyone interested in undertaking their own year-long birding Big Year, “Watch the movie for inspiration. And when you do, be sure to watch the extended version. That extra minute-and-a-half features John Cleese as the narrator, and that changes the entire character of the movie.”
Dr. Jonathan Dowell kicks off his Big Year 2026 at beautiful Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
We’ll check back in with Dr. Dowell for an update on the progress of his Big Year towards the end of 2026. In the meantime, did you know that New Mexico residents don’t even have to leave the state to participate in their own Big Year? The New Mexico Department of Wildlife (formerly the NM Dept. of Game and Fish) is launching its first-ever state wide Big Year birding competition, challenging outdoor enthusiasts to identify as many bird species as possible across the state before the end of the year. The contest is open to birders ages 13 and up, and more information, including the registration form, can be found on the NM Department of Wildlife website.
“New Mexico has the fourth-highest bird diversity, in terms of overall species, in the nation,” said Curt Coffman, NM Department of Wildlife Assistant Chief of Education. “Bird watching has become very popular and is a great way to introduce people to the incredible natural areas found throughout New Mexico. We hope to see a wide variety of individuals participate in the Birding Big Year, including teens, beginners and the most seasoned bird watchers.”
More than 550 bird species have been observed in New Mexico, and incredibly, 413 species have been confirmed sighted at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, making it the perfect place to kick-off your own Big Year 2026! We can’t wait to see you out there!