Looking Back: A Grounded, Grateful 2025

2025 was a grounded year for Pteravia.

It felt like the pieces that had been moving for a while finally began to line up. I spent meaningful time in the field, deepened my learning, and started to see momentum from long-term efforts take shape.

Early 2025: Kicking Things Off in the Northwest

I kicked things off as a guest speaker at the La Conner Birding Festival in Washington. 

From there, late winter and early spring were mostly spent in Colorado, with a few good days of snowboarding mixed in.

In April, I led a short bird-and-stay tour in San Diego County. It was only three nights, but we still logged over 100 species, ate well, and got to know a really diverse corner of Southern California. 

Around the same time, I wrapped up Burrowing Owl surveys for the City of Westminster.

Summer: Staying Local, Staying Present

Summer slowed things down in a way I appreciate. 

I led day tours at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, spent time birding my regular patches, and kept chipping away at landscaping projects at home. It was a beautiful time of year to stay local.

Late Summer and Fall: Travel, Migration, and Connection

By late August, it was time to travel again. 

I headed to Veracruz to scout a short tour timed to the peak of the Mississippi Kite migration. From there, I led a private trip to Costa Rica, where we photographed more than 150 species, spent time in the highlands, and snorkeled along the Caribbean coast. 

I returned to Veracruz in late September to lead a full group tour, working again with excellent local guides Jorge Montejo and Amy McAndrews. Over the course of nine days, we recorded more than 250 species and shared some incredible moments in the field.

Autumn: Day Tours and Desert Skies

October kept me close to home with more local day tours around Colorado. 

In November, I drove out to California to visit family, caught an impressive Red-crowned Amazon roost in Pasadena, and spent an evening photographing Joshua Trees and the night sky in Mojave National Preserve.

Winter: Maui and Family Time

December wrapped up with family time in Maui, where we snorkeled with green sea turtles, watched young humpback whales from the lanai, and visited Hosmer Grove in Haleakalā National Park to see native Hawaiian honeycreepers. 

We ended the year with a visit to family in Minnesota, where a minus-20-degree blizzard gave us a sharp reminder of winter before returning to Colorado.

Looking Ahead

Things have quieted again this winter, and that has been welcome. I’ve been using the time to plan and shape new trips and ideas for 2026 and beyond.

I’m excited about what’s ahead and grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey.

Join Me in the Outer Banks

If you’re thinking ahead to your own birding plans, I’d love to have you join me for a new trip I’m especially excited about.

Pteravia’s Outer Banks Bird Tour
May 27 – June 1, 2026
(Optional Extension: June 1–4)

This tour explores one of the East Coast’s most dynamic birding regions during peak spring migration. We’ll spend time in coastal marshes, maritime forests, and offshore waters, with expert support from local guides and seabird specialists.

The pace is relaxed, the birding is exceptional, and the trip offers time to connect with the landscapes and species that define this stretch of coast.

Reserve your spot here or reach out if you have any questions.

Hope to see you out in the field.