The Red-tail transect

If you have ever felt envious of birders who seem to be ever traveling to celebrated birding destinations, may I suggest: Make the journey the destination. North America is not only a bird-rich continent, but it’s also linked by a series of transect lines known as the Interstate Highway System. On any trip across long distances, you’ll pass through a variety of habitats — and birds adapted to them.

In December 2019, wife Linda and I and our two spaniels vaulted the continent on I-40, east to west, keeping track of the bird species we encountered. To make our list, a bird had to be identified from our vehicle while in transit (at speeds ranging from 45 to 70 mph) or encountered at highway rest areas (which proved seasonally meager).

While Linda and I have navigated I-40 multiple times, we’ve never done so in winter. Our 2,888-mile trek