We Have 12 Hours to Find as Many Rare Birds as Possible

During early spring, we try to find as many rare birds as possible in 12 hours. Our targets include a mega-rare Painted Redstart, Hudsonian Godwits, Yellow-throated Warbler, Smith's Longspurs, Cackling Geese, Eurasian Wigeon, Franklin's Gull and more. How many will we be able to see before time runs out?

Gear Links (As Amazon Associates we do earn from qualifying purchases)

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Used for most bird videos) - check credits as we do source some photos/videos elsewhere which is noted in the description

Cayer FP2450 Fluid Head Tripod, 75 inches Aluminium Tripod
Derek's lighter tripod

Andoer Video Tripod Aluminum Alloy 67 Inch
Derek's heavier tripod

Nikon D5300
Derek's vlogging and macro camera

Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
Derek's external microphone for Nikon D5300

Connect with us!

Thanks to Terry Sohl for allowing us to use his range maps

Painted Redstart in cover image by Alan Schmierer (Public Domain, edited)

Hudsonian Godwit in cover image by Silver Leapers (CC by 2.0, edited)

Smith's Longspur in cover image by Lisa Hupp (Public Domain, edited)

All other photos and videos by Derek and Ryan Sallmann

#Birding #BirdWatching #BadgerlandBirding

[nathanwebb]

I didn't realize a painted redstart would make it all the way to Wisconsin. That was awesome!

[janeenpfeiffer]

Always love your rare bird findings!! ❤

[seasonalambience]

Thanks for taking us along, that was exciting to see. Another awesome video...Happy Birding.

[MaidenBklyn]

Super fun. I really enjoyed this vicarious birding adventure.

[KaliSmith-nt]

I’m so glad I stumbled across your channel. I love your content. Keep it coming!

[rgdodson]

Good video! It would be interesting for those unfamiliar with the places you visited to see a map of where you went during those 12 hours.

[terracotta]

I hope you keep a diary of your birding - where they are, when - what the weather is like - that information would be quite interesting to environmentalists!

[MrTmiket]

Thanks for sharing another wonderful video like always 🐦👍🤗

[sethuberalles]

You would have a hard time dragging me away from that Painted Redstart! Well done, fellas.

[Beryllahawk]

This kind of video is so fun, it's almost like just hanging out with the two of you, tagging along. I haven't got enough knowledge to fully understand why all these rare birds are rare (though I did get it about the Redstart) but it was fun anyway! I admit - rare or not, I'd have been VERY excited about the Herons. My son and I have taken to keeping watch for "unusual" birds when we're driving to do errands. I put quotes on that because honestly as new as we are to this, anything could be "unusual"!

[frank_ls]

Nice idea for a challenge! I’ll probably try this myself at some point. If you want to get really crazy, do a “self-found” rare bird challenge! Might need to give yourself more time for that one.

[chickadeecentral]

Wow, this is a great channel, whish I had known about it earlier. You got another subscriber! Looking forward to the content

[Jpsbs]

Big Congrats on seeing 5 rare birds. You guys are AWESOME 😊

[mrpearl]

I think on this one the Smiths Longspurs was my favorite I've never heard of this bird before today nice one guys !

[Chris_Wolfgram]

I actually got a painted redstart in Northern California, which was a big deal.
But of course I got better shots in Arizona as well.
Super cool Birds 🙂
Good job guys. Thanks for the video 👍

[barbaracole]

Great work! The painted redstart is such an unexpected find in Wisconsin.

[rerolley]

You made it over toward my part of the state that day. Looks like you had a fun day.

[douglaswetzel]

Was very surprised to see the Yellow throated warbler up there!

[ellenderee]

Great episode! And yes please do it again. 😊

[emergencylowmaneuvering]

FORMER METAL BIRD COMMERCIAL PILOT HERE. Love to see those singing flying things. Seen flocks in the middle of the caribbean Fantastics flyiers.