Avid birdwatchers generally remember where they first encountered most species, especially those not found in their home territory. Of course, those "exotic" species are commonplace for birders who share their environment.
Nevertheless, it is the drive to find "new species" that keep birders enthused and engaged; unfortunately, these discoveries become less common as birder's gain experience (i.e. age) and many opt to visit foreign lands to expand their life list. More often, we begin to focus on "seasonal firsts" which occur annually. While many birds are permanent residents in a given area, others are encountered only during the warmer or colder months or on their migration through the birder's home region.
Today, having recently returned to Missouri, I observed the first house wrens, ruby-throated hummingbirds and Swainson's thrushes of the season; the wrens and hummingbirds will remain until fall while the thrush is merely passing through and will do so again in the autumn. These "first sightings of the season" cannot match the excitement (and eventual nostalgia) of true first sightings but we birders look forward to these annual encounters just the same.
