I was standing along Pine Creek at 7:15 a.m.; the light was exquisite, the birds were singing their morning songs, and I was chatting with another photographer.
As we were both visiting, two birds flew through the trees behind us and crashed. Their rapid movements and colors caught our attention. One was olive yellow, the other was bright red with black wings.
My friend turned to me in surprise.
“What was that?” and I replied excitedly, “It was a male scarlet tanager chasing a female.”
“How do you know that?” he asked.
And I told him my story.
Today I am a multi-award winning outdoor writer and photographer. When I began my career, there was a formative learning process in my education and approach to my subjects that I owe to the “birders.” Thank you!
At first, I did what I encourage everyone to do. I found mentors who were willing to teach me what I needed to know.
There was an adventurous side to this process. Birds don't just pose for you. And these cheeky little warblers, in particular, are constantly flitting from one place to another. But oh, what fun it was.
I joined an active Audubon Society club. Birders know birds. I introduced myself, introduced myself, and went on outings with them. They were welcoming and it was really fun.
It was also funny sometimes, because I was learning how to bird properly. When I would fall in the mud, roll down a slope, let out a big “oooooooooooooo” and scare away all the birds we were tracking so slowly and silently, they would all grimace… Then they would help me up and we would all laugh.
When I went out alone in search of a white-fronted goose and came back empty-handed, they gave me a bird-watching book to take with me and call my own.
And in the end, I learned a lot about birds…and more.
I came to know (and write about) Rachel Carson and her incredible work. Her research on pollutants and her book Silent Spring helped spark our nation’s conservation movement in the 1960s. In fact, banning the insecticide DDT saved the endangered bald eagle, a symbol of our country. Our daily lives are better today because of her efforts. She taught us that we are all responsible for protecting and appreciating our environment.
I also learned that bird watching is beneficial for the mind, body, and well-being. The miles of walking quickly added up and were fun to do. Bird watching also undoubtedly helped strengthen my deep connection to our natural world and our conservation efforts.
So how do you get started birding? It’s easy. Find an Audubon club in your area and join. I joined the Lycoming Audubon Society because it was the most active in my area. However, I also enjoyed events with the Tiadaghton Audubon Society based in Wellsboro and the Seven Mountains Audubon group in Union County. A quick internet search will bring up a list of Audubon groups in your area. Social media has pages for birding groups and PAbirds.org is also a great resource.
Once you are connected, the group members will help you with the rest. Some groups have a binocular loaner program. Use one of the group's binoculars until you decide to invest in your own. Some photographers bring their cameras for close-up shots. A camera with a 600mm lens is a good investment. A good group can help you become an ethical birder.
Members will also help you identify birds. Soon, you'll be able to identify them by sight and perhaps by sound. Many people like a phone app called “Merlin Bird ID,” a free app offered by Cornell University's Ornithology Lab that lets you listen to live sounds.
And along the way, it's a good idea to practice. Grab a birding guide, study a few websites, and go looking for subjects. A good spot can be as close as a bird feeder or your local park or trail. There are birding “hot spots” in every community.
One of the best things about bird watching is that anyone can do it. Young or old, physically fit or not, everyone can enjoy the sights and sounds of bird watching. It’s a hobby that can be enjoyed in any season. It can even be an urban adventure.
Once you're a birder, you might even impress someone when they see a flash of color and say, “What was that?!” You can tell them.
Author Linda Stager lives in Wellsboro and is proud to call the PA Wilds home. She is an award-winning author and photographer. She is also an accomplished birder, thanks to her friends and mentors at several local Audubon groups who taught her most of what she knows about birding.
