What are your new year's resolutions for 2012? Did you keep your resolutions for 2011? While the top resolutions each year include losing weight, learning something new, traveling, or getting out of debt, here's a new challenge you can take on this year: spot all the bird species in Big Bend National Park.

Among the movies of 2011 that didn't do so well in the theaters is The Big Year — a story about birdwatchers competing in a challenge to spot rare birds. The term "big year" is apt, since for birdwatchers, a big year is a real challenge—one to spot as many species of birds in the US in one calendar year.

There are about 675 bird species in the United States. The record for a big year is well over 700 birds. How is that possible? Because, while only 675 species are recorded to live in the US, occasionally other rare birds wander in, allowing the count to go even higher. The record holder, Sandy Komito, listed in her big year species from Mexico, Europe, and even Asia!

How does Big Bend fit into all of this? Because 450 species of birds  reside either year round , seasonally or migrate through the area. That's over 65% of the bird species in the US, and 60% of the number of bird species Sandy Komito spotted. In other words, you could stay in Big Bend for the whole year, and still find more bird species than the average birdwatcher. Not to mention the fact that many kinds of bird cross the Rio Grande from Mexico, and therefore may be found in no other place in the US except Big Bend. The Colima Warbler is one example; you may never see one north of the border if you don't go to Big Bend, where they mate every spring.

So why not take the challenge? Hop on down to Big Bend and see how many birds you can spot. There are several quality bird-watching guides you can get a hold of to help you. As soon as things warm up this spring, you can try and snap a picture of the Colima Warbler and other rare Mexican and Texan birds. If you're really dedicated, you can try your own Big Bend Big Year, and try and spot all 450 species in 2012.

More about birding in Big Bend >>