lulubelle
07-19-2009, 07:42 PM
I put this in the VCDB sub-forum because the majority, if not all of us, ended up at the beds at some point. This was my first time on the scavenger hunt and I really enjoyed it! My team was the "House Martins", named after our team leader - Martin Matingly (I hope I got the spelling correct!). My teammates were Mary Lee Johnson and Bill Huffman. This was the first time that I had really met Martin and must say he was quite entertaining!! I think we had a great team and found some great birds. I am really surprised that there were some key birds that we seem to see all of the time, yet didn't spot or hear while we were out. Where were the Red-shoulders when we needed them?!! Couldn't find a hummingbird any where....knew we wouldn't find a Bewick's Wren, but thought we would find a House Finch somewhere.. I thought wrong apparently!!
This has given me an appreciation for the birds I see daily and somewhat take for granted. I have always admired the ability of many birders who can "bird by ear" and the hunt has only served to increase my admiration, as well as my desire to better my skills in this area. I was surprised at the number of people that showed up and pleased to see some young birders! I am hoping to participate in next year's scavenger hunt and be better prepared, now that I know what it is like. It would be great to have a fall or winter scavenger hunt - see who can find the sparrows!
It was nice to see some familiar faces, although I didn't get a chance to talk to a lot of people. Hopefully I will see some of them on the field trips over the next year. Thank you to my teammates and to Greg Cook (word to the wise - if you see Greg pointing at something or lingering - get there quickly!!) & David (I hope I got his name right - I am horrible at remembering names!) for pointers on what was at the beds.
P.S. - I went back out there after we left Pappasitos & still couldn't find the Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal or the Bank Swallow! Did find 2 White-faced Ibis though!:)
This has given me an appreciation for the birds I see daily and somewhat take for granted. I have always admired the ability of many birders who can "bird by ear" and the hunt has only served to increase my admiration, as well as my desire to better my skills in this area. I was surprised at the number of people that showed up and pleased to see some young birders! I am hoping to participate in next year's scavenger hunt and be better prepared, now that I know what it is like. It would be great to have a fall or winter scavenger hunt - see who can find the sparrows!
It was nice to see some familiar faces, although I didn't get a chance to talk to a lot of people. Hopefully I will see some of them on the field trips over the next year. Thank you to my teammates and to Greg Cook (word to the wise - if you see Greg pointing at something or lingering - get there quickly!!) & David (I hope I got his name right - I am horrible at remembering names!) for pointers on what was at the beds.
P.S. - I went back out there after we left Pappasitos & still couldn't find the Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal or the Bank Swallow! Did find 2 White-faced Ibis though!:)