Back in the days before I had children, I dabbled at birding. And I do mean dabbled. I spent a modest amount of time at the local Audobon sanctuary with binoculars and my copy of FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, but most of the birds recorded as “seen” in the GUIDE’S checklist were spotted in my backyard … through a window. Complete amateur. This Christmas, though, I got to hang out with some real birders:
© 2007 Betty Jenewin
In frigid temperatures, glorious sunshine, and twelve inches of fresh snow, photographer Betty Jenewin and I shadowed birders John Liller and Kim Kastler as they took part in the 108th Christmas Bird Count, a citizen science program of the National Audubon Society. It was fascinating to watch these two working together to draw out, identify, and count bird species … and it was heavenly to bask in fine winter weather in the company of redpolls and woodpeckers.
I was so inspired by this adventure that my ‘nocs are now at the ready, my GUIDE is dusted and thumbed-through, and my priorities are straightened. Here’s to more time outside with the birds in 2008!
Happy New Year to one and all.