Global Big Day: Birding in My Backyard

Celebrating Global Big Day with a Backyard Birding Adventure

Though my seasonal birding recaps are a regular feature, yesterday’s experience is too memorable not to share on its own.

May 11th was Global Big Day – an annual celebration of the birds around you, and World Migratory Bird Day – an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Naturally, I spent most of the day birding in the backyard – and it was nothing short of extraordinary. There is something so fulfilling about staying home and experiencing the natural world right outside your door, knowing that the wildlife are enjoying what you have carefully created with your own two hands.

If you have been following along on Threads or Instagram, you will know that the wildlife pond just got a major refresh earlier this week (still a few details to finish). Birds flocked into my backyard like guests to a grand reopening, and I was front row for the show.

A Record-Breaking Day with Four Lifers

Yesterday marked my official “big day” in the backyard, with a record-breaking 26 bird species observed. But what made it truly unforgettable was that four of them were lifers*. That’s right – four birds that I had never seen before, all in one day, all right here in my backyard during a Global Big Day birding effort, all within my own wildlife habitat! There is truly something special about encountering a new species – it feels as if the wild is revealing its hidden treasures to you.

The four lifers? Orange-crowned Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow (I initially thought it was a Leconte’s Sparrow, but was mistaken – shoutout to David for the correction!), Cooper’s Hawk, and Eastern Phoebe – each one a first for me, and each a reminder of the life teeming around us, even in the most familiar spaces if we only take a moment to notice. So easy to overlook unless you are paying attention. And maybe that is what days like this are really about. Learning to stop, notice, and marvel at the ordinary magic right in front of us.

From Wild Wings to Quiet Nesting

One of the most thrilling moments came when I heard a burst of chaotic wings along the fence line – completely unanticipated, yet another surprise gift from nature. I rushed to the window and saw a flurry of birds darting behind the cedar tree. My first thought was a Northern Flicker, as they had been visiting regularly. But then the bird flew over, and perched itself on the fence – and it was definitely not a Flicker. I gasped, and shouted something not exactly suitable for polite company, loud enough that I would not be surprised if a neighbour looked out to see what was going on.

I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos through the glass, heart pounding. The bird stayed long enough for me to quickly open the window and remove the screen for a clearer shot. It was a Cooper’s Hawk. A lifer! And though it flew off moments later, the experience left me breathless. I was sure that I would find an injured bird beneath the tree, but somehow, its intended target had escaped in the commotion.

And in the quieter moments, amidst the flurry of lifers, one familiar friend stood out: an American Robin, busy and determined, making repeated trips to the pond edge. All day long, it gathered soft strands of moss, beak full, flying off to line its nest. The Robin pair, having made my backyard their regular stop since their arrival, bring a steady presence to the space, as though nature itself is taking a moment to pause here. I cannot help but wonder if this is the same pair that returned from last year, continuing their cycle in the same peaceful corner of our yard. Though their nest remains hidden nearby, it serves as a gentle reminder of nature’s rhythm unfolding all around us.

Small Changes, Big Impact: Creating a Space for Wildlife

Moments like this are why I have been pouring my time and care into turning our yard into a wildlife habitat. When you create space for wildlife, they show up in ways you never imagined. Just four days ago, my highest single-day count was 13. The activity has exploded – a testament to the power of fresh water, and intentional space. Small changes truly create a ripple effect of life.

This is what I hope to demonstrate in my seasonal birding recaps – that a yard, when cared for with intention, can become so much more than a patch of grass. It can transform into a habitat, a haven, a gathering place for the wild – a real refuge for bird species of all kinds.

If you have ever thought about paying closer attention to the birds around you, today is the perfect invitation. Whether you are starting with a single feeder, planting native flowers, or simply noticing who flies by your window – birding begins with curiosity.

And who knows? Your own “big day” might be closer than you think.

Be sure to check out the photos below – I captured some truly special moments from yesterday’s whirlwind of feathers and bustling activity.

Global Big Day 2025 Bird List

May 10th Stats:

26 Species

4 Lifers

17 Physically in yard

8 Heard (but not seen)

1 Flew Over

1 Saw from yard

Key:
L = Lifer (first-time sighting)
H = Heard
FO = Flying Overhead
SFY = Saw From Yard

Birds are listed in alphabetical order.

• American Crow *SFY
• American Robin
• Black-billed Magpie
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay *H
• Canada Goose *H
• Chipping Sparrow
• Clay-colored Sparrow
• Common Raven *H
• Cooper’s Hawk *L
• Eastern Phoebe *L
• Franklin’s Gull *FO
• Grasshopper Sparrow *L
  Info: This is the first record of a Grasshopper Sparrow in the Edmonton eBird county, and the most northernly confirmed record in Canada!
• Hermit Thrush
• House Finch *H
• House Sparrow
• Least Flycatcher
• Lincoln’s Sparrow
• Northern Flicker
• Orange-crowned Warbler *L
• Palm Warbler *H
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Red-winged Blackbird *H
• Ring-billed Gull *H
• Tennessee Warbler *H
• White-throated Sparrow

Global Big Day 2025 Photos

Global Big Day and World Migratory Bird Day are reminders that conservation starts in our own backyards. Let’s keep the conversation going – what steps are you taking to support bird migration and protect their habitats? Share your efforts in the comments below and let’s grow this nature-loving community together.

If this post sparked an idea, made you pause, or nudged you to notice the life in your own space, share it. Every share spreads the invitation: to garden with purpose, to rewild a yard, to create a place wildlife trusts – and helps this little patch of land inspire more backyard birders, native plant gardeners, and nature-lovers.

Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Tracey

INFORMATION

FO = Flying Overhead
H = Heard
L = Lifer
SFY = Saw From Yard

* In the world of birdwatching, a “lifer” is simply a bird you’ve seen for the very first time. It is a big deal for birders because it means you’re adding a new species to your personal “life list”- a list of all the different birds that you have spotted. Every time you see a lifer, it’s like discovering a hidden treasure in nature, and it feels pretty exciting! What makes each lifer unforgettable is how it deepens your connection with nature.

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If you enjoy what I share and want to support my journey to rewild and document this little patch of land, you can do so through my Ko-fi page. Your support helps me continue photographing, nurturing, and sharing this space with you.

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