Tracking Tom’s ‘Big Year’

May 12, 2026 | Featured, Guest Post

Contributed by Tom Andersen, Landmark Board Member

Lake Pepin overlook from Maiden Rock Bluff.

A ‘big year’ in birding can be either a personal challenge or informal competition among birders who attempt to identify as many species of birds as possible by sight or sound, within a single calendar year and within a specific geographic area.

Board Member Tom Andersen is an enthusiastic birder but doesn’t count his sightings unless he’s captured a photo, and he has been diligently cataloguing photos for Landmark Conservancy over the years. He’s taken a different twist on a ‘big year’, with a goal of birding at as many properties protected by Landmark as he can during 2026.

Tom shared that years ago, he had a best friend and ornithologist who mentored him. “For me, getting people to recognize the importance of birds is a way for me to honor that friendship,” said Tom. “The birds and I are the real winners in Landmark’s work.”

We’re eager to follow along with Tom’s adventures and share them with you. We hope you’ll learn a bit about birds and our unique landscapes and perhaps discover a new preserve to explore!

Board Member Tom Andersen. Click any image in this post to enlarge.

Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area and Hedin Addition, April 10

Maiden Rock Bluff

It is said that this is the exact spot from which a Dakota Sioux maiden precipitated herself because she could not marry the man she loved.

It is also the spot that I visit annually because I can find my favorite flowers there. Seldom seen elsewhere. The flowers are found within a foot or two of the edge. Care is required lest you precipitate yourself. I had to get down on my belly and shimmy out to take pictures.

Pasque Flowers (Anemone patens)

And regarding the Dakota maiden, I choose to believe she went to pick the swell flowers and got close to the edge…OOPS.

As for birds this early…ruby crowned kinglets in the brushy edges of the precipice and brown creepers on the bur oaks. Gobs of American tree sparrows heading to the Arctic. Eagles and vultures gliding by at eye level. White pelicans far below. Impressive.

Pasque flower is a rare plant in the wild.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Tree Sparrow

Brown Creeper

Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area, April 20

A great spring day for a hike and a little exploring. Wasn’t sure what to expect on a visit to this property early in the year. That said, I feel you can’t really know an area unless you’ve seen it during different seasons.

Turns out, it was well worth the visit. And, as a birder, my goal has always been to get at least one good bird photo on each outing. I wasn’t disappointed.

It was evident from the kiosk at the entrance that my timing was just fine. Someone had taken the time to write a record of what they had seen the day before!

Handwritten observation board listing bird species sightings and environmental notes. Click any image in this post to enlarge.

After a brief walk to the water’s edge, I was greeted by a bale of painted turtles enjoying the warm sunshine. While it was not warm enough to get the spring peepers, chorus frogs, and wood frogs going, it was plenty warm and sunny for the turtles. There were dozens of turtles basking in the sun all around the lake edge.

Painted Turtles

Birding was not a disappointment. Right from the get-go I ran into a group of cedar waxwings busily feeding on berries. An osprey was busy working the lake. Many Leopold benches and picnic tables were strategically placed so one could quietly sit and observe the goings on. I sat at a number of these vantage points and had some stellar birding.

Cedar Waxwing

Lakeside picnic area amidst the beautiful pines.

Gadwall Pair

Yellow-rumped warblers were everywhere. And song sparrows were singing. Aquatic insects emerging from the lake provided the food supply to draw in the birds. The obligatory red-winged blackbirds were singing up a storm, and I was surprised to see a palm warbler show up this early.