The last two weeks have been prime time for birds and birders.
Every species that nests and breeds is here and “on territory” and the last of the migrants have been passing through.
I’ve discovered that bird identification becomes easier with ready access to one or more identification keys. I’ve been testing my portable birding tools and my newly discovered wild plant playing card deck.
In the last ten days I’ve been on a SPARC sponsored bird walk, spent a few days overnight in a new area and field tested Birding by Ear
It’s an art to listen for individual bird calls among the chorus of voices defending territory and keeping track of each other on the move. Besides the fact that robins and tanagers sound alike, both are here at this time of year, and both may be singing or calling at the same time, this has been an extremely windy year.
The good news about the wind is that it keeps the bug population low. The bad news is that it makes sounds harder to locate, and even though the weather is warmer, the wind is still a challenge when exposed for long periods of time.
I purchased audio tapes of Birding By Ear which, with my old Walkman and headphones are a handy field guide. Birding By Ear thoroughly covers the song, as well as variations, and call of 85 birds native to my area. The brochure-sized guide book also has information on habitat and transliterated songs. This is an effective portable tool, perfect for a beginner and a seasoned birder.
The Identiflyer is a device into which you insert picture/sound cards, 10 birds to a card. It’s pricey; I paid around $80.00 for the device, which comes with two cards, and the 4-card warbler packet. It has an on/off switch, comes with an earphone and runs on AAA batteries It’s useful if you see the bird. Birds are grouped by similar songs, but the sound is only a fraction of the most common song. This is a better tool for a seasoned birder.
Wild Cards work fine for ID and if it’s not windy, for solitaire. But poker - I’m afraid not. Sooner or later the savvy player will realize that chickweed is the deuce of spades and nettle is the nine of hearts - there will be no question about what cards the other players are holding.
I am delighted to have had the opportunity to see a whole range of birds, a bear and an otter. I am blessed.
What surprised me is just how long it took me to slow down enough to eventually see and hear the natural world at its most beautiful. On a daily basis I try to eat healthy food, spend at least some time in nature, and walk my nature-centric talk. But I still needed to spend a few nights sleeping in the woods to really be in the woods. I wonder just how much longer it would have taken me if I didn’t have the learning toys.
I emerged from my woods wanderings better able to identify the veery, the hermit thrush and the redstart. The surprise “aha” moment for me was understanding how much time it takes to transition from the fast-paced life most people live to the pace necessary to appreciate the joys of nature.