Being a Birder
By Ginger Wojciechowski
What does it take to be a birder? Luckily not much! All you need is the presence of birds and your observation of them.
All of us have some beginner birding experience, like noticing grackles pecking at popcorn dancing across the pavement. Maybe you saw something more “majestic” like a swooping red-tailed hawk above your neighborhood, picking up height on the rising thermals. It really can be that simple--you’re just an interest away from acknowledging yourself as a birder.
As someone who has spent years in the field observing wildlife and taking courses on viewing different species, I don’t think I actually called myself a birder until recently, and that is due to finally finding interest. I wasn’t against birds. I just never viewed them with more than a paycheck in mind.
Great Horned Owl.
Credit: Elaine Davis / Audubon Photography Awards
First lesson for birding: the birds are on to you. They knew of your presence before you stepped out of the car, maybe even while you were turning the coffee pot on in the morning. When I think of birding, I think about the observations the birds make of you in their habitat. That sudden move you made (sipping said coffee) that has the little house finch jump to the left on the feeder outside of your kitchen window. Move through their area without too much alarm (“Shhh, scrub jay!”). Get settled, watch, and listen.
I gained my interest in birding when I was forced to, not by a crazed marauder, not by my career in conservation, but by my daughter (maybe she is a crazed marauder?). My life had slowed down when she was born. Her naps trapped me in my car and luckily, I had access to open easy going dirt roads that would take me meandering into the high desert, so off we went.
I started to notice all the wonderful hawks, falcons, and any little bird with blue. I started keeping bird guides in my front console along with binoculars and snacks (did I mention the toddler in the backseat). It was a family affair; my husband and I would grab a coffee as soon as her eyes closed and off we went to look for birds.
I read her children’s books with themes of birding and we mimicked bird sounds. A fan favorite was the turkey call. After a few years of birds piquing my interest, one of my proudest moments and biggest lessons happened. I was pushing my daughter on the swing. A dove started to coo-OO-oo in the background and my daughter exclaimed, “An owl!” My first thought was, wrong, but fortunately I didn’t say that to her. It took my sleep deprived brain a minute to catch up. I realized she was identifying a dove by its call! She heard the coo-OO-oo as hoo-hoo-hoo. She listened and identified what she knew to be an owl. Excitingly her interest was so present, she could tell me about her observation. She was a birder and finally I was too.
I encourage you to try and get out and view birds. It’s not all about the ID; it’s about your acknowledgement and observations. Your ID’ing will come and books can tell you a lot, but to train the ears, the eyes, and the passion takes time.
ESBA hosts many field trip opportunities for all to get out and train. The best way to learn and have fun is with others who are learning and having fun!
Ginger Wojciechowski is a biologist and Big Pine resident who recently joined the ESBA Communications Committee and is looking forward to seeing you at our bird walks.
The Eastern Sierra Bird Alliance is a community chapter of the National Audubon Society, representing the diverse habitats of the Eastern Sierra within Inyo and Mono Counties.
Our mission is to educate the public about local bird species and habitats; while working to preserve and protect them for future generations.
