Early this morning as I laid in bed, I began reflecting on all the positives in my life that birding has brought me and others - fortunately I really couldn't find any negatives outside of maybe explaining to your partner that I am heading out to bird & will be back later to do the yard work or whatever.Here are the reflections in no particular order:
1 - Lifetime Passion -For me at 7 years old [73 yrs back] watching Evening Grosbeaks swarming at the feeders, I was hooked and hooked to this day. I find such enjoyment still with our expected birds at the feeders or in the field in NE - naturally I love traveling to various habitats around the country and CR to see/enjoy all their species, learn all their songs & habitat locations - climbing mountains to see the Himalayan Snowcocks, taking pelagic trips to see all the specialized species living out there, hiking the tundra in Alaska, traveling to countries like CR to find another hundred+ species totally new to me - there is no end to this passion, the excitement & discovery for me that I can find each day.For many this passion comes at different ages - example folks retiring and looking for something to do & discovering birding as an exciting hobby. One of my joys is meeting so many folks on our birding trips from Drumlin Farm - college, working folks, retirees - all ages from total beginners to experienced birders seeking to learn/enjoy all that birding can offer. The fun part for me & my coleaders is showing them many species on each trip but teaching them all the ID skills on why that species is that species. 2 - Friendships - I feel blessed that over the years having met hundreds of wonderful folks on these birding trips - that is the beauty of birding, everyone is excited to be out in the field even on crappy weather days - ideally nice weather birding days are better. So many friendships have developed from these birding trips where folks develop connections with other birders that last for a lifetime like my birding roommate from college. 3 - Health - Birding gets us outside year around - lots of walking esp. when banding, early morning fresh air, working the brain as learn all the birdsongs & call notes [no Merlin], how to separate confusing species in the field [especially those fall HY migrants]. 4 - Research - one highlight for me is being a Master Bander & the research that goes with it. Each spring and fall, my special team of volunteers band at West Hill Dam and later in the fall we band at a special private property managed for birds, butterflies, etc. The knowledge in extracting these many species from the mist nets from hummingbirds to occasionally raptors take lots of practice as the volunteers have learned, then IDing the species in the hand can be a challenge like flycatchers, fall HY warblers, follow that with knowing how to age knowing molt limits & other keys, then band & release. Each year, we recapture x number of returns from previous years [6+ yrs] which is exciting. Between the 2 locations, we capture around 700 to 800 birds - wide range of species plus always surprises like the Dickcissel this past spring and the Chat the previous fall. Each net run is so exciting not knowing if you have orioles, warblers, vireos, woodpeckers, sparrows, flycatchers, chickadees or titmouse awaiting you. Always a highlight is when school groups [3rd & 4th graders] join us when banding, watching their excitement, hearing all their questions - opening up a new world for them. Summary - Look forward to each season with all the special species they bring - love the competition aspect like Birdathon & Superbowl of Birding - appreciate how birders at a site will gladly point out a rarity to a new group - love all the friendships created by birding - for all those blessed with the passion for birding, how fortunate we are!!
