The Allure of the Field

It is getting to be that time of year when my thinking is almost always focused on getting into the field. In my neck of the woods the days alternate, at this time, between cold and overcast and clear, sunny and warming weather. Spring is but just around the corner; certain signs are all around. Small new leaves on the Mock Orange, American goldfinches showing up more often in their more brilliant mating plumage, and greater activity of my small avian friends in the trees around my house beg me to get ready for an outdoor adventure.

I find myself digging through my journal refreshing my memory of birds seen at this time of the year at different locales in the past. Should I grab my binoculars and head to the Pecan Groves? Will I find the Harris Sparrows still lingering or are they now gone? Will the Crows be harassing the Great Horned Owls? I won’t be surprised for it is a ritual witnessed many times before. Will I find under the Bridge over the South Bosque only Cliff Swallows or will I find some nests of the Cave Swallows, too? I must study the differences in their nests beforehand, subtle though they are.

Should I gather up my spotting scope and head for the Wetlands? It would be nice to find an Anhinga, but I’ve yet to see one there. I know they visit. There are plenty of reports and sightings. Alas, I have not. Will there be a few ducks hanging around? One more look at a Hooded Mergansers or Buffleheads would be grand. Will I be able to scope a Snipe? The mottling of its feathers makes it so difficult to see. One often needs a great spotting scope to find and observe it well.

The allure of the field is strong, indeed. The need to shake off the winter, and rid this cabin fever is evident. I want to drink in the view. One of the finer things of life is to be outdoors and experiencing the grandeur of Mother Nature.

Sure Sign of Spring

Redbuds blooming in Central Texas.

In the background is a birdhouse that my daughter and I built

long ago when she was 5 years old.

Cameron Park, Waco, TX, Riverside Trail

March 20, 2008
Cameron Park, 8:30 AM-10:30 AM, 46F-63F, Cool, Sunny, Clear Skies.
Starting at the Redwood Shelter, I moved up the river and followed the Riverside Trail to Circle Point and then returned. Eighteen Species were observed. I was able to sight a Brown Creeper by serendipity. He walked, or should I say crept, into my field of view while I was observing a Yellow-rumped Warbler in a Cottonwood. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were abundant along the trail. Downy Woodpeckers, a mating pair, I think, presented on the trail. Further down the trail I heard White-eyed Vireos calling, but was finally able to see one about 10:00 in the undergrowth at water’s edge near my point of turn around. My walked ended with viewing two pair of Wood Ducks on the river. A complete list is below.

Great-tailed Grackles
Common Grackles
Whit-winged Dove
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Chickadee
Muscovy Duck
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Brown Creeper
Red-bellied Woodpecker
White-eyed Vireo
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Downy Woodpecker
Turkey Vulture
Ring-billed Gull
Wood Duck
White-throated Sparrow

Lesser Scaup on Town Lake

A Good Day To Go Birding

I stand in my kitchen, coffee cup in my hand. Like many mornings, I beat my alarm. No, I didn’t use a hammer. I mean that I’m awake before it goes off. I’m already dressed, boots and birding vest on. The vest pockets are already filled with my field guides, checklist, notebook and pen, compass and map. My binoculars and spotting scope already carefully stowed in the car. Coffee’s good this morning. I need to get my hat and coat. I checked the weather forecast last night (the internet is my friend): cool crisp morning will give way to sunshine and a bit of wind. I’ll grab my sunglasses just in case.

As light seeps into my backyard, the feeders and bird bath already draw visitors. There are robins on the grass; goldfinches and house finches at the feeder. A wren flits in the Rose-a-Sharon near the bath. Stealing into the yard from the ravine’s edge is a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos.

Camera…I have to get my camera. Maybe, there will be a chance at a good shot. I grab my cell phone, which I’ll carry only in case “someone wants or needs me”.

A bottle of water and an apple for a snack; I’ve got to go. It’s a good day to go birding.

Spotting Scopes

You’ve been birding for some time and developed a degree of expertise. You may have built a good life list. Now you want to expand that list and ensure quality sightings at the same time. Binoculars served you well at closer ranges, but what about the birds across the water or on the mud flats, or farther across the prairie, or high in the sky? You are ready for new gear: a spotting scope.

As it is with binoculars, so it is with scopes. One can spend any amount. Often, manufacturers try to accomplish being inexpensive and being lightweight at the same time. Sometimes, this leads to scopes which are not well proofed for water or fog and are not as rugged. Still, recent trends have brought down the price to more affordable levels. Consequently, spotting scopes are not only for the elite, but are becoming both essential and accessible equipment for the avid birder.

The first decision is the eye piece, also know as the ocular. Really, this is two decisions in one. First do you want it configured straight through sited (ST) or angular (AN)? Straight through may make it easier to find birds because it works just like your binoculars. Angular appeals to some because it may be less a strain on the back and neck. If you are the sole user of the scope, ST may be the way to go. If you tend to share with several people when birding, you may wish to consider AN. Secondly, you have a choice of a fixed or variable magnification. Many believe it best to stick with a fixed magnification of 20x or 30x--the larger the magnification the greater the light distortion. Variable magnifications typically are 15x-45x or 20x-60x. You should use the smaller magnification in the range to locate the bird and ramp up to gain more detail. As you ramp up, less light will be let in accompanied by a narrower field of view.

The next decision is the objective lens. These define the field of view and are best if at least 60 mm. Larger objective lenses gather more light as well as allowing a greater field of view. The material used for the lens is important, too. The more expensive scopes have a special type of glass in them call ED, which stands for extra-low dispersion. ED enhances light gathering and corrects for chromatic aberration.

Finally, don’t neglect the support for your scope. Rigid, mid-weight tripods are best. Tripods need to be sturdy and easily adjustable. Consider a tripod with flip locks for secure and quick adjustments.

The acquisition of a quality spotting scope will enhance your experience and enjoyment of the great outdoors.

We recently spent some time on property located in Hill County on FM 1263 east of the City of Whitney. It consists of 135 acres and is Blackland Savannah and Post Oak through which runs the Little Aquilla Creek.

The survey took place on Sunday, March 9, 2008. The team consisting of Randy, The Edwards, and myself spent from 9:10 AM to 12:15 PM on the property. Conditions were sunny with clear skies and temperatures ranging from 43F to 71F.

A total of 21 species of birds were identified both by visual and auditory means. The team was able to visually identify eight Purple Finches, both males and females, in the bottom. This species is considered uncommon in our area, that is, normally present in proper habitat but one can not be sure of finding one in a day. The team notes that the property is within the western boundary of the species range. Sightings included but were not limited to three different species of woodpeckers, two species of hawks, two species of wrens, one species of vireo, and one species of warbler. A complete listing and numbers of individuals is below. The “numerous” designation is assigned when the number of individuals is too many to accurately count or were moving in patterns not easily counted.

Northern Cardinal 50
Carolina Chickadee Numerous
Carolina Wren 9
Northern Junco 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 6
Purple Finch 8
White-eye Vireo 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
American Crow, h* Numerous
Turkey Vulture 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk, h 1
Blue Jay, h Numerous
Sparrow, sp.** 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Tufted Titmouse Numerous
Eastern Bluebird, h 1
Bewick Wren 1
Mourning Dove 14
* h--species call or song was heard
** sp.—species was not definitively identified

Gear and the Birder

Just what are the essentials for the novice birder? Two essentials are a pair of binoculars and the field guide. This is true for backyard birders who largely want to enjoy the birds that come to feeders or birdbaths and for those adventurous souls who take to the field. The field guide is an inexpensive compliment to binoculars which require a bit more consideration.

The field guide—now, that might be a misnomer for those around home birders. Really, this is a resource which helps one learn to identify the birds, wherever they may be. The best guide is one that fits the individual birder’s needs and is easiest for him to use. There is no secret formula. Once you’ve found the one you like, keep it handy and use it often. At first, one should concentrate on just trying to identify the family to which the bird might belong, blackbirds, orioles, finches, woodpeckers, wrens etc. Believe me, it is a significant and meaningful first step; not a difficult one.

A good pair of binoculars is essential to improving one’s ability to identify. One can spend any amount of money on binoculars, but one should avoid a cheap pair. We enjoy a time when there is much competition in the optics industry that there are numerous models and types of binoculars. This may have led to confusion for the consumer, but it has also led to increasing quality in optics.

For the beginner, lower magnifications (7x, 8x) are best primarily because they offer a greater field of view. The field of view is the linear feet viewable at 1000 yards. The large field of view is especially important to the novice birder in locating a bird. Higher magnifications help with detail which the more experienced birder may wish to enjoy.

Other aspects of binoculars one should consider include the ease and quickness of focus, the amount of eye relief, weight, closeness of focus, and water and fog proofing. Some of these are self explanatory. However, eye relief is a term worth defining for viewers that must wear eyeglasses. Eye relief has to do with how far images are projected from the ocular lens to their focal point. Eyeglass wearers need 14-15 mm, at minimum. Close focus may be a consideration if one looks for butterflies as well as birds. A close focus of 4.5 to 5 ft is excellent. Water and fog proofing is better accomplished by the newer technology, the roof prism, because focusing can be accomplished internally.

The novice will find that it takes only a couple of items to begin enjoying this pastime. Now, go grab a field guide and your binoculars and happy birding.

Why Bird?

Why bird, indeed? What possesses anyone to engage in this pastime? Why do some start and then lose interest? Why do some become fascinated when very young but others much later in life?

It is the opinion of this writer that we are all born observers. Anyone who has children can verify this; just mess up and your child will be sure to let you know that is what you’ve done. In fact, we come out of the womb keen observers. Yes, our eyes are not fully developed, but we use our other senses to full advantage. So it is with birders.

Birders are special people who love to make observations. Probably we begin birding because some particular bird caught our eye. It may have been a brilliant flash of color or just a movement in an otherwise still setting. Or, maybe, it was a sound or call, pleasant or not. Whatever the occurrence might have been we acted upon it with a curiosity that was deep inside.

Some birders are convivial. There is a community associated with the activity of birding. Many birders, while happy to get into the field alone, would be much happier to bird with a friend or group. There is something satisfying about sharing a good sighting or debating one. Often it is that we end our outings with “well, the best bird of the day was….”

Some birders are competitive. It is a game or sport to these, and the game is called one-upmanship. I used to have a good natured competition with a friend in the form of a life list. We would periodically call each other to brag on how many species were on our list.
I have since conceded to my friend. To this day it is fine with me that he has those bragging rights. After I found more than 300 species on my list, I simply stopped counting. After all, once anyone can attest to having correctly identified 300 species, I figure one can claim a certain degree of expertise and credibility. But the serious competitors are the ones who travel, sometimes great distances, to see who can id the most species in a year. These people are committed—or should be. For the life of me, I don’t understand it. Perhaps, it is because I don’t have the time and resources to commit to it. But there it is, and I’ll leave it up to those that want to do so.

Yet, the real question, at least to me, is why not bird? Birding has brought me great joy, a circle of friends, and a profound appreciation for the world in which I live. One can not escape noticing the beauty of the environment nor overlook the complexity and balance of nature. One becomes more aware of the need for responsible stewardship, placed in our hands, when we come face to face with our disturbance to that balance. Indeed, bird.