By checking for Hotspots in your area, you may find new birding sites near you to explore for interesting birds, such as a Bufflehead (above) or Great Kiskadee (below). Photos by Paul Konrad

If you’re eager to find out when the first of each species of warblers reaches your neighborhood, or state; or the first tanagers or hummingbirds, there is a great eBird Tool that provides information gleaned from the birding reports of birders across the country, and actually, around the world. You can easily narrow your search down to your immediate area by selecting the Hotspots option, which will clue you into many parks, refuges, and local birding areas too.

This eBird tool can also be used to find birding hotspots new to you that are located near your home, workplace, or locations you visit while you’re on trips – or you can use hotspot locations to plan day trips or weekend getaways. You can also narrow your searches down to an individual County in each state or province, and there is an option for Important Bird Areas too. While this insightful article may seem brief, the websites it refers you to will open up a wealth of possibilities and information for you that will be a great aid for you now and in the future at https://ebird.org/sightingsLocation.form?reset=first-false

Explore More

eBird offers us all a wealth of information and provides a basis to explore more and more about birds using eBird options in the Explore category. Browse through the Explore page options and see where it takes you at https://ebird.org/explore

eBird Global Big Day

Speaking of exploring eBird opportunities, this is another reminder that this Saturday, May 9th, is the Global Big Day when birders from around the world participate in reporting their sightings to add to eBird records to get a concentrated view of where birds are during this pivotal point during spring migration. It’s easy to participate, and you can get all the information about the Global Big Day 2020, as well as data from past events at https://ebird.org/news/global-big-day-9-may-2020

Share your birding experiences and photos at editorstbw2@gmail.com