UC Davis Student Sets Yolo County Birding Record

Julian Johnson, an environmental science major, spotted 275 species in 2025 after only two years of serious birding.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:47pm

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Julian Johnson, a UC Davis undergraduate student, broke the Yolo County Big Year record for birding in 2025 by spotting 275 species and spending over 1,000 hours birdwatching. Johnson, who is majoring in environmental science and wildlife biology, only started seriously birding a couple of years ago but quickly became an avid member of the UC Davis Birdwatching Club. His most surprising find was a rare sagebrush sparrow, which was only the second time the species had been seen in the county.

Why it matters

Johnson's achievement highlights the growing popularity of birding as a hobby and its value as a citizen science tool for conservation. By documenting bird populations, birders like Johnson provide important data that helps researchers and policymakers understand the health of local ecosystems. Johnson's story also shows how getting involved in nature and the outdoors, even as a college student, can have a profound impact on one's appreciation for the natural world.

The details

In 2025, Johnson spent over 1,035 hours birding in Yolo County, visiting hotspots like the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant 134 times. He credits joining the UC Davis Birdwatching Club as a key part of his journey, as it introduced him to the local birding community and opportunities to go on guided bird walks. Johnson also took a university course on bird conservation, which helped him learn to identify over 330 species found in California.

  • In spring 2024, Johnson started seriously pursuing birding.
  • In 2025, Johnson broke the Yolo County Big Year record by spotting 275 species.
  • In 2026, Johnson plans to expand his birding beyond Yolo County to explore new areas.

The players

Julian Johnson

A UC Davis undergraduate student majoring in environmental science and wildlife biology who broke the Yolo County Big Year record for birding in 2025 by spotting 275 species.

UC Davis Birdwatching Club

A student organization that introduced Johnson to local birding opportunities and the birding community.

Zane Pickus

A fellow UC Davis student and birder who wrote about Johnson's "Big Year" accomplishment for the Yolo Bird Alliance.

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What they’re saying

“Once you've started and you start to learn a lot of the common local species and you can identify things, you realize just how many birds are out there. Whether you're somewhere like this, or you're walking around the campus, or walking around the town of Davis, you're in the mountains, you're in the desert — any region in the state, any region in the world, is full of bird life. That really goes overlooked by a lot of people that aren't birders or bird watchers.”

— Julian Johnson

“Humans do have a lot of impact on birds, and birds — if you pay attention to them and care about them — can have a really big impact on you and your life.”

— Julian Johnson

What’s next

Johnson plans to expand his birding beyond Yolo County in 2026 to explore new areas, though he may not attempt another Big Year record.

The takeaway

Johnson's story highlights the growing popularity of birding as a hobby and its value as a citizen science tool for conservation. By documenting local bird populations, birders like Johnson provide important data that helps researchers and policymakers understand the health of ecosystems, while also fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.