Photo: Credit: Noah Strycker

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, India—Today, globetrotting birder and Audubon blogger Noah Strycker (@NoahStrycker) entered the record books with the most species of birds seen in the same calendar year. He surpassed Alan Davies and Ruth Miller’s previous record when he spotted a Sri Lanka Frogmouth for bird number 4,342. Noah began his “Big Year” on January 1 in Antarctica and is expected to reach his goal of 5,000 birds well before December 31. He has been recording his journey for the National Audubon Society in a blog called “Birding Without Borders” as well as marking his findings in eBird. His full list of species seen so far can be found here.

“It has been amazing to connect with birders through the Audubon blog,” wrote Strycker from India. “I've been blown away by the feedback and response it has received! There are millions of bird lovers all over the world. In 2016, I get to relive the whole adventure while writing a book about the experience. Instead of a travelogue, the book will be a reflective, fun narrative about birders and our place in the world.”

Countries visited: 27 and counting

First bird seen: Cape Petrel, January 1, Trinity Island, Antarctica

Most memorable sighting: “In Brazil, near the Pantanal, I visited a Harpy Eagle nest and waited four hours until one of the eagles showed up. When it arrived, it was carrying half a coati (a raccoon-like animal) in its dinner-plate-sized talons. Seeing that eagle swoop in was one of the most dramatic and memorable birding moments of my life.”

“Noah’s big year shines a light on the beauty and wonder of birds—and on all the threats they face in a rapidly changing world,” said Audubon VP for Content Mark Jannot. “One out of every eight birds worldwide is globally threatened, and we hope Noah’s blog will inspire more people to help save them.”

According to BirdLife International, one out of eight birds across the globe is threatened, with up to 200 species facing imminent extinction. Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and increasingly the effects of climate change have resulted in the decline of birds everywhere. Bird populations tend to reflect the health of their ecosystems at large due to their heightened sensitivity to the quality of their surroundings.

Follow the rest of Noah's journey at audubon.org/noah.

The National Audubon Society saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.

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