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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JakeM" data-source="post: 3338532" data-attributes="member: 104647">After spring of 2014 i realized that i was having a decent year, for me.  (I dont chase rarities that are too distant, i just dont think that it is very green, but that is just me). So, i tried for a personal best that year, in Ontario, and beat my previous record by 11 species.  Before 2015 i decided to again try for a personal best year, within certain geographic limitations.  My wife asked me what would i rather have, a life bird in the year (difficult, as i have travelled in the past) or a personal best.  I opted for the life bird.  As it turned out, i saw both Kirtlands Warbler and Parasitic Jaeger.  Life birds.  Long, long time nemesis birds.  And by years end, i set a new personal best, beating my previous record by a 13 species.  Sometimes you get more than you wish for.   Anyhow.  What are my birding hopes for 2016 ?  Great looks at birds. (ie. Louisiana Waterthrush in 2014) More self found rarities.  (ie. Mountain Bluebird in 2015).  Birds i haven't seen for a while (ie. Dickcisssel),  Plenty of ambiance.  Trying out new areas. More Zen birding. More birds than birders....</blockquote>