Big Year 2026: January Update
Earlier this month, I announced my commitment to a “big year”—an ambitious challenge to spot as many bird species as possible throughout 2026. If you’re curious about the journey, stick around for monthly updates where I’ll share highlights, surprises, lessons from the field, and of course, a selection of photos from my sightings.
A Quiet Start, but a Meaningful One
January began more quietly than I’d hoped, with fewer outings than planned, but things will definitely pick up as the year unfolds. Most of my birdwatching this month came from a memorable trip to Slimbridge Wetlands Centre on the 17th. Because of my job, I often find myself in remote locations, which means I’m always scanning for new species—even if that sometimes means fewer chances to take photos. Still, I’ll share images whenever I can!
Slimbridge is a brilliant place for birders of all experience levels, and the community there is always welcoming and eager to help. My visit was packed with learning and a string of first‑time sightings.
The Highlights
The standout moment? Finally seeing Siskins! I’d heard they were around, but witnessing them in person was something else. Funnily enough, it was the sound of a drumming woodpecker that first drew me to the area. That moment kicked off a cascade of sightings:
Siskins
Redpolls
Fieldfares
Redwings
And yes — a Great Spotted Woodpecker
The excitement didn’t end there. At one point, two Sparrowhawks were preening in a tree, completely unnoticed by me and another birder until someone pointed them out. The moment we looked up, they took off!
Later, at the Kingfisher Hide, I spotted another Sparrowhawk and managed to grab a few photos—not my best work, but definitely proof of the encounter.
Big Year Progress
My goal for this big year is simple: record every new species I spot. If you’d like me to include monthly stats or breakdowns, let me know in the comments and I’ll start adding them.
This Slimbridge trip was my only proper outing in January, thanks to poor weather and juggling other commitments. February should offer a bit more free time, so I’m hoping for more adventures.
Still, I’m thrilled to say that for January, I recorded 54 different bird species!
If you’re following along with your own list, how many did you spot this month?
January Gallery
Here are some of the photos I managed to capture this month:
