A rare Eurasian taiga bean-goose sparked nationwide birdwatching interest in New York’s Capital Region in 2025, part of broader shifts in migration patterns.

In 2025, New York’s Capital Region saw an unprecedented surge in rare bird sightings, including a taiga bean-goose—likely from Eurasia—first spotted at Saratoga Lake on New Year’s Eve and documented in over 740 reports. The bird, which stayed for more than a month, drew birders nationwide. Other notable sightings included a Ross’ x cackling goose hybrid, white ibises expanding northward along the Hudson River and Lake Champlain, and first-time records of a painted bunting, dickcissel, varied thrush, and black-bellied whistling ducks. These events reflect shifting migration patterns, possibly due to climate change, and highlight growing public interest in birdwatching.