My Birding World

I started 2018 with an ambitious New Year’s Resolution: to submit a checklist of birds each day. Up to that point I was tracking the species I observed annually. Transforming this to a daily ritual changed my interaction with birds in a wonderful way. Suddenly, I was more aware of migration patterns, or lack thereof (I thought some birds were in the Bay Area for a short time only to find out that they hung out here all year). I paid more attention to sparrows as I took the time to count each one. Sometimes I was rewarded with a rare bird in the mix. My ID skills increased. I heard birds everywhere I went. I could be completely engrossed in a conversation with someone, but my attention could be quickly snatched away if I hear a bird call. That has led to some silly commentary once my discussion partner realizes that I have transformed into a statue listening intensely to bird calls.

I birded a lot this year. I often submitted more than one checklist each day. I went on trips just to go birding. The most memorable trip was a week-long excursion to Texas. I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of all the new birds that I will admit I shed a tear or two. I can’t wait to write about those adventures in a future post and visit the Lone Star again.

Keeping my daily checklist offered a positive event to look forward to. I could be present with nature for at least 15 minutes a day. It was calming and rewarding.

For almost an hour yesterday, I was hunched over looking through a scope at a rare Rough-legged Hawk. It was feeding on something in the middle of a vast field. The markings on the hawk were like nothing I have ever seen before. Streaks of brown dripped through its head and breast and met in a thick, chocolatey belly band. Its tail was white with a band along the end. I was mesmerized. I was reminded of how much I have to learn. I was appreciative.

 

I have one more bird walk, one more checklist in order to complete my 2018 goal. That is 365 days of birding and over 600 checklists in one year. I have not made any goals for 2019 yet, but I’m sure it will involve birds.