Seventeen-year old Isoo O'Brien had a "Big Year" in 2020. He saw more bird species in Cook County, Illinois that year than any birder ever. A "Big Year," is not a formal competition; it's a personal challenge or informal contest among birders. I met Isoo on the day he tied the Cook County "Big Year" with his sighting of an Eared Grebe. That was his 281st species in 2020. A week later he topped the record when he saw a Common Redpoll at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. Isoo O'Brien finished 2020 with 288 species -- the new "Big Year" record for others to beat.
