January Meeting:
Wednesday, January 22nd.
6:00 pm at the Pizza Factory
2230 N University Parkway, Provo.
Dr. Hal Black, BYU Professor of Zoology, will be our speaker.
He will
entertain us with his anecdotes and tidbits.
We will then be
introduced to
our new Executive Committee and
recognize those who participated in the Year
2002 Birding Challenge.
Come in, eat from the pasta buffet, and chat with friends.
It’s going to be fun! Don’t miss out!
The meal will cost $10 per person (includes tax and gratuity).
Pasta Buffet- All you can eat Linguini, Alfredo, Marinara, Grilled
Chicken,
Italian Meatballs, Italian Vegetables, Caesar Salad, Garden Salad,
Breadtwists, and Drinks are included.
FIELD TRIPS:
Dennis' Droppings
by Dennis Shirley
We've all heard the adage that we never want to be somewhere we
shouldn't
be or be with someone we shouldn't be with, because for sure that will
be
the time we'll run into someone we know. The world isn't as big as it
used
to be, for sure...and it's certainly getting smaller with faster
travel.
But, on the contrary, and along this same line of thought, the world of
birders is ever expanding.
The year 2002 was an amazing year for running into people in the most
far-flung and surprising spots. Close to home, it didn't matter what day of
the week or what time of the day, or where it was, I think I ran into
Bob
Huntington no less than five straight times in October in various Utah
counties. I'm sure he thought I was following him around, but we did
see
some great birds each time.
In Alaska, in July, it was while waiting for a shuttle bus at Denali
National Park Headquarters when I literally bumped into someone, said
"excuse me," and Carol Gwynn turned around. We were both there to bird
our
way through the park. Luckily, Carolyn (my wife) was my companion that
day.
In December, it was in a backyard in McAllen, Texas. A high ABA code
Mexican stray--a blue mockingbird--had been reported coming to a
feeder.
This time my son, Darren, and I had driven down from his home in San
Antonio
to see this bird and a golden-crowned warbler. We had seen the warbler
the
evening before and arrived early the next morning to find the
mockingbird at
the feeder. We got all the good looks we needed and were about to leave
when
a car drove up and out stepped Dana Green. Again, luckily, we were both
with
people we should have been with. She was with her husband.
In each of these situations, after the initial shock, it just always
seemed normal and right and just another day in the lives of active
birders
doing their thing. But be careful!
TIPS FOR NEW BIRDERS
by Tuula Rose
If you are a new birder or thinking of becoming one, a fair warning
might
be in order. This hobby has a tendency of becoming a passion bordering
on
addiction. There is no known cure. Attempts to abort birding frenzy
will
produce varied withdrawal symptoms including “twitching”. To
successfully
take on the fastest growing hobby in the world you have to:
1. Find a bumper sticker that warns motorists behind you of erratic
driving and frequent sudden stops.
2. Be able to drive your car without ever looking at the road.
(Alternative: You can train your car to stay on the road no matter
what. I’m
working on this. Doesn’t look promising.)
3. Have enough shelf space for all the old editions of the National
Geographic Field Guide.
4. Be able to develop a tolerance for upper canopy neck pain.
5. Be able to tolerate sanitary conditions in the many convenience
store
restrooms in the small towns of Utah.
6. Be able to discuss one American and several European cousins of
chickadees without blushing.
7. Appreciate volunteer sunflowers and millet growing wild in your
yard.
8. Be able to update your computer capacity for all the myriads of
life
lists and listing programs.
9. Be able to deal with a mental disorder called Scope Envy.
If you are still thinking about becoming a birder, congratulations,
and
welcome to the bunch. Besides the many hours of exciting outdoor
birding
activities there is one added benefit. If you ever get lonely for
company
at home, just report a transient rare bird at your feeder and you will
have
many visitors, most arriving within ten minutes. Guaranteed.