Some Random Thoughts

Meeting Report Spring 2003

 

            Every time we turn south off of I-10 toward Dauphin Island, the excitement begins to build.  Even though we have perhaps seen 40 or so species on the way down from Tallassee, we just naturally become more alert, and begin to expect the unexpected.

 

            The first real Dauphin Island birds were expected, but still, it’s always special to see the American White Pelicans on the little islands west of the bridge. 

 

The Cave Swallow has to be the best bird of the weekend, simply because it was so unusual, but its timing, following Larry Gardella’s article in the winter issue of the Yellowhammer, made him appear clairvoyant – maybe he is.  Be sure to see Larry’s follow-up article in this issue.     

     

Another unusual bird reported by several people was a male Wilson’s Phalarope at the Bayou La Batre sewage ponds.  I had forgotten that the male Wilson’s Phalarope is the drab gender.  He demonstrated the typical circular foraging technique. 

 

            Dr. Frank Moore gave an excellent presentation regarding the monumental challenges that neotropical migrants must face and overcome to successfully complete their migration.  He pointed out that 85 to 90 percent of mortality for adult birds occurs during migration.  Those that are successful must:    

       

1.      Continually adjust to changing habitat, most of which they have never seen before;  

2.      Acquire large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time;

3.      Contend with competitors for the same food supply;

4.      Avoid predators;

5.      Resolve conflicting demands (eat, hide, fly, etc.)

6.      Maintain their health against a host of parasites and other challenges;

7.      Find the right direction; and

8.      Cope with bad weather.

 

            Dr. Moore described truly fascinating methods that he and his students had used to determine, for instance, the compromises a bird makes to choose adequate food while remaining deep enough in the foliage to avoid predators.  Another experiment determined that a bird would not fly until it had the fat to do so, and might even turn around – on land – to return to a better food source.

 

            He answered many questions that we’d wondered about, but never knew who to ask.  We were captivated.

 

            Harriet Wright was honored with the Tom Imhof Award for her (not yet) lifetime of service to AOS, to birding, and to birders.

 

            Robert R. (Bob) Reid, Jr. was honored with the Alabama Birdlife Award for his drafting of the Forever Wild legislation, among myriad other contributions to conservation.

 

            AOS and Alabama birding would not be the same if these two wonderful people had not graced our lives for so many years.

 

I heard some disturbing comments from three birders.  All three believe they saw a Black Rail, each separately, but in the same area, within a radius of 50 feet.  However, none of the three would come forward to proclaim their sighting for fear of being questioned too pointedly by the rest of us.  None saw the bird for more than a few seconds, but the sightings were all at close range – less than 25 feet. 

 

Could it be that some of us who have been birding longer, or more often, than others have become a tad too superior in our attitude toward the less experienced among us?  After all, rare sightings are not confined to seasoned birders.

Granted, new birders may tend to be less observant of critical field marks, but which of us weren’t once new birders?   Granted, too, we all could hone our observation skills so that we can make the most of momentary sightings.  But we should never get to the point that we make other members feel inferior, uncomfortable, or reluctant to share their unusual sightings with the rest of us.  I, for one, believe there was at least one Black Rail at the airport during the meeting, and had these birders felt more confident of the reception their sighting would have received, many more of us might have seen it too.

 

            One of the best things about birding is that we can all share the experience.  By sharing a bird with others, we do not compromise our patch, as one might compromise a favorite trout pool.  Perhaps it is worth taking a moment to reflect on our choice of words – and tone -- before we question others about their sightings.  Remember, the purpose is to gain information so that we too may share in the interesting birds, not make our friends uncomfortable, or even reluctant to come forward.  (John Porter recently taught me a lesson about reflecting on our choice of words, but that’s another story.)