Thanks for your contribution to the discussion, Jim. By now we all understand
that Brainard was kidding, so we can put that to rest (poor Brainy!). However,
your post reminded me of a hearing issue that many birders may have, i.e. they
don’t hear certain frequencies, so they hear the song differently than
Peterson’s or any accepted known song. It’s quite possible that they may hear a
2-syllable song, instead of a 3-syllable song, for instance.
I have experienced a different hearing issue, i.e. hearing loss in one ear. As
a result, I have had problems locating the bird’s location. I have literally
turned in circles trying to locate the bird. I got a hearing aid, which has
definitely helped.
Eyesight, of course, has its own challenges. Lately, I seem to have what I have
labeled “bird blindness,” meaning that I can’t see that mourning warbler,
Tennessee warbler or blackburnian warbler even if it is dancing on a branch 15
feet away. Talk about frustrating! Thank goodness for the hearing I have!
Northern Franklin County
On May 15, 2022, at 10:39 PM, Jim Swartwood <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
On May 15, 2022, at 4:34 PM, Jim Swartwood <swartwood.j@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hey to everyone, I am enjoying the dialog. Yesterday I picked up my hearing
aids after three weeks in the shop. During this time I couldn’t hear
anything in the birding world other than a Mourning Dove close by (low
frequency). Merlin was my backup more than ever to know what might be in
the area.
I remember my first audiologist saying I could never hear a dolphin - no
problem probably never could. However with new technologies in hearing aids
I can now hear birds probably not in the frequencies that you do but it is a
joy to me anyway. So no matter how one tweaks the description of the bird
call, do enjoy whatever sound you hear as a gift of life not all fully
experience.
Birdky is a great forum that I enjoy very much. Thanks for keeping it going
and it is good to see what others in the state and locally are observing.
The Global Bird Day postings have been especially interesting, as a novice,
to know so many experienced, dedicated and loyal birders are in KY.
Good birding to everyone as the Spring migration winds down.
Jim Swartwood
Douglass Hills
Jefferson County
On May 15, 2022, at 9:24 AM, Ed Leathers <emleathers@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Apologies to everyone. I didn't realize how much kidding goes on, which is
a good thing. I never tolerated bullying when I was a teacher and thought
that's what was going on. So, thanks for the explanation, Brainard.
Ed
