Engaging in birding may have a profound impact on your life, regardless of your interest in birds. Joining a birding group can transform this activity into a community affair, as we explored last week. We challenged beginners to try bird-watching with at least one other person and were pleasantly surprised by the numerous affirmative responses. Many individuals have not only made friends through birding but have even found spouses.
Rick Wright from Bloomfield, N.J., shared his story of inviting a woman to search for shorebirds at swine effluent ponds, a memorable outing that ultimately led to their 25-year-long marriage. On the other hand, Gordon Dayton from Connecticut initially lacked an interest in birding but discovered it along the way, after meeting his wife. As Mr. Dayton stated, some individuals are drawn to birding due to their love for birds, while others are drawn to it because they love bird enthusiasts.
Not everyone wishes to engage in group activities while birding. Margaret Poethig from Arlington, Va., admitted that she is not inclined to join any groups. However, as a beginner, she recognized the value of learning from other birders and participated in a local citizen science project, joined local bird clubs, and volunteered at club events. Now, she has even started meeting people who post checklists on her local eBird hot spot.
Age differences can also play a role in birding communities. Roberta from Northampton, Va., joined her local ornithological society at 22 and found that most members were middle-aged or elderly. However, she formed lifelong friendships with younger individuals who shared her passion for birding.
For parents seeking birding opportunities for their children, Susana MacLean from Westfield, N.J., recommended looking into Young Birder Clubs offered by local Audubon Society chapters. The positive impact of these clubs is exemplified by Susana’s son, who, in his 20s, still birdwatches with a former N.J. Young Birder friend. These clubs provide young bird enthusiasts with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals their own age.
Joining other birders not only provides a sense of community but also enhances identification skills beyond what can be learned from guidebooks or online resources. Julie Frost from Rochester Hills, Mich., shared her experience of frequently birding alone but still feeling part of a larger group. Passersby on the trails she walks often stop to ask about her sightings and share their own backyard birding stories. This demonstrates that even minimal interactions can foster a sense of belonging within the birding community.
Our next prompt: What are your birding etiquette questions? Think of it as Social Q’s for birding. Have you experienced any awkward scenarios you want us to examine? Is there something your fellow birders do that you disapprove of? Have you failed to get your friends or partner excited about your birding passion?
If you have any birding stories, please email them to [email protected], and we will seek the insights of an expert.
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