A Year In Review: 2024 Backyard Birding List

2024 marked the first full year in our new home, and despite the backyard being in a state of upheaval (torn up, uninviting, and far from a wildlife habitat) due to a major re-landscaping project we were working on all year, the variety of bird species that visited (or at least passed through) was truly remarkable. Despite the chaos, I was thrilled by the number of lifers I spotted and the diverse array of feathered visitors that graced our yard.

In total, I recorded 46 bird species either in our yard, seen from our yard, heard, or spotted flying overhead. Among them, 14 were lifers – making 2024 an unforgettable first year of backyard birding.

2024 Stats:

46 Species

14 Lifers

31 Physically in yard

8 Heard (but not seen)

6 Flew over

1 Saw from yard

2024 Backyard Birding List (In alphabetical order):

Throughout the year, I captured some incredible moments of our backyard visitors. From songbirds to unexpected lifers, each sighting was a reminder of nature’s beauty and resilience. Here are some of my backyard birding photos from 2024. (In order by date taken)

While birds have been the stars of our backyard, they are far from the only visitors. Throughout the year, I’ve had the joy of spotting a variety of other wildlife, each playing its own role in our evolving habitat. Butterflies flitted through the garden, dragonflies zipped through the air, snowshoe hares were frequent guests blending into the landscape as the seasons changed, and squirrels provided endless entertainment with their antics.

The smaller creatures were equally captivating. Spiders spun intricate webs, ladybugs hunted aphids with precision, while wasps moved with purpose diligently going about their tasks. Ants marched along well-worn trails tirelessly tending to their colonies, honey bees buzzed from flower to flower vital to the pollination and flourishing of the garden, and slugs slowly crept through the damp corners breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil in their wake.

Each of these creatures, from the tiniest insect to the most energetic mammal, contributed to the dynamic ecosystem unfolding right outside our door. Here are just a few of the other species that made an appearance in our yard this year. (In order by date taken)

With the major phases of our backyard transformation nearly complete, and our efforts to create a thriving wildlife habitat taking shape, I am stoked to see what 2025 will bring. If this past year was any indication, the year ahead promises even more incredible sightings, new lifers, and unexpected visitors. As our plants mature and our yard becomes an even more welcoming space for birds and other wildlife, I look forward to witnessing the seasonal changes, migration patterns, and daily surprising that make backyard birding such a joy.

Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Tracey

INFORMATION

FO = Flying Overhead
H = Heard (Confirmed via Merlin app)
L = Lifer
SFY = Saw From Yard

---

If you enjoyed this post, please consider supporting my work on Ko-fi!

PIN IT!