I started birding seriously in 1983, and was out as usual early this morning,
looking for fall migrants! During those 36 years, I have visited all the
continents at least once, and my world list is approaching 6500.
Unfortunately, my far flung travels are likely at an end, and additions to my
list in the future will come mostly from taxonomic revisions. Here are the
short versions of some of my most memorable birding experiences, some involving
rare or uncommon species, others that just stayed with me for a variety of
reasons. Here are 10 of my favorites, in chronological order:
1. Feb 1986 Pelagic trip out of Ocean City Maryland. We encountered several
fishing boats emptying their nets with hundreds of accompanying Northern
Gannets diving into the ocean feeding on the dead fish. A real spectacle.
2. Dec 1987 2 friends and I went birding out west including a visit to the
Salton Sea in California. We had hoped to find Yellow-footed Gull, and finally
found a large flock of Western Gulls that were seen at some distance. We all
looked via scope at the birds for some time until my friends lost interest. I
was determined to find our target, and despite the annoying insects and heat, I
finally found our target and was able to share it with the others.
3. Nov 1988 I got married to my second wife on the 5th, and on the following
day a friend called to report that a Brant was being seen on Lake Chickamauga,
about 120 miles from home. After receiving permission from my new bride, I
raced down to the lake and to a boat ramp where the bird had been found. I
drove up and did not even have to get out of the car to see this new state
bird! Nice to have an understanding spouse.
4. April 1996 Private tour to Tanzania, difficult hike up the Udzungwa
escarpment. On the way back down the hill, the leader mentioned to be sure and
check the many epiphytes for sunbirds. Shortly thereafter, I spotted several
of what turned out to be Rufous-winged Sunbirds buzzing around a large plant.
This was a totally unexpected sighting, a species that had been seen at the
time by very few birders due to its' limited and remote range, and small world
population.
5. April 1998 Birdquest tour to Colombia, shortly after 4 birders were
kidnapped by FARC guerillas. Our group had stopped beside a large marsh, and
on arrival, our leader plus the most experienced participant jumped out of the
vehicle and walked ahead. After the rest of us got out, I spotted a large
Myiarchus flycatcher perched right beside the bus. We all looked at it, I
identified it as Great-crested, and didn't think anything more about it. At
the compilation that night, when I mentioned the sighting, the leader noted
that Great-crested does not occur in that area, and we had seen Apical
Flycatcher, a Colombian endemic and lifer for everybody except the leader. A
few days later, we arrived at the area where we had expected to see Apical
Flycatcher; we all looked for several hours without success. We decided to
split up, and I was lucky enough to find a cooperative pair of the flycatchers,
and then share them with the group.
6. July 2001 VENT tour to Costa Rica with my wife along as well. At the
lunch break one day, I went birding by myself to a botanical garden near our
lodging. I found a Blue-throated Goldentail male, a hummingbird that appeared
to be territorial. Later in the afternoon, we all managed to see it again, a
lifer for one leader, and the first country record for the other.
7. Oct 2002 Another Birdquest to Manu NP, Amazonia Lodge. Another solo bird
walk at the noon break, and I managed this time to find and identify by song a
pair of Band-tailed Antbirds. This was a 3 star bird on our list (unexpected),
and we all went out later in the day and easily relocated the birds.
8. Nov 2003 Private tour to New Zealand, my wife along again, though she
elected to stay in the hotel while 4 of us went out at night to look for Great
Spotted Kiwi. The males and females have a different vocalization, and we
heard some calling within a large reserve. We finally settled into a sheltered
spot near a dirt road, and soon called in a very agitated male who put on an
unbelievable show (perhaps my favorite birding experience of all time).
9. May 2006 A friend and I stopped at the Kingston Steam Plant in Tennessee,
to check for migratory shorebirds. I saw an all white bird flying toward us
that turned out to be a Gull-billed Tern, a second state record, not common
anywhere in its' ABA range. I had several second state records but never
managed a first.
10. July 2006 Birdquest to Irian Jaya. An early pre-dawn hike landed 3 of us
in a blind hoping to see a displaying Western Parotia, a spectacular Bird of
Paradise. At first light, a male started his performance within 10 feet of us,
a ballerina like dance with his elongated black plumes circling around
skirt-like, right below the iridescent breast shield. One of my companions in
the blind had seen more than 7000 species, and was the first to see one bird
from each world family; he became so enchanted with the show that tears were
streaming down his cheeks.
I am sure that many of you have had experiences that you might like to share as
well
Cheers
Terry WittBradenton Florida
