At its core, birding is a collaborative effort. The most basic fundamentals of the pastime, such as strategies for identification and understandings of ecology and distribution, are built on the collective knowledge of observers who came before us. News of noteworthy sightings is shared across a dizzying array of communication channels, and most birders would admit that some of the fondest memories of their careers can be attributed to the discoveries of others. Even when we bird alone, we carry with us the wisdom of multitudes in our field guides, apps, and minds. There are times, however, where this wonderfully wacky extended family comes together in truly remarkable ways, to the benefit of all members involved. Throughout the birding community of North America, November is widely considered to be The Weird Month.
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Tropical Kingbird, 8 Nov © Drew Weber A Tropical Kingbird was discovered in farm pastures near Fleetwood, PA on Monday, November 6th. Originally it seemed inaccessible, but in the following days it ranged around enough that it has been viewable from the surrounding roads. A big thanks to Ross Gallardy and Jeff Vinosky in figuring out access. Instructions for searching: Adapted by a post by Jeff Vinosky to the PA Discord server. Frequent updates will likely be posted in the RBA on Discord. If you aren’t a member yet, you can join the PA Birds Discord server. The Tropical Kingbird has been moving around and recently has been viewable from the Walnuttown Mennonite Church lot, looking south towards the creek valley. We have been in contact with the original finders and farm owners and they are agreeable to this as suitable public access.  11/13 Revised visitation.
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Randall’s Island is something of an enigma to most New Yorkers. Located at the confluence of the Harlem and East Rivers, where three of the City’s five boroughs brush up against one another, this remarkable park has developed a reputation as being difficult to get to and confusing to navigate. Despite the multitude of public facilities and recreational infrastructure present on the Island, it also hosts an impressive array of diverse habitat types that provide seasonal homes and migratory stopover sites for a variety of birds. Although the potential of this site has been well-documented over the years, birder coverage has historically been spotty at best until fairly recently. Now, an ongoing Randall’s Renaissance has put this hotspot back on the map, with regular sightings of regionally uncommon specialties and a hearty haul of surprising rarities documented by an ever-expanding network of dedicated observers.
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There are few animals on Earth as universally recognizable as a flamingo. Beloved the world over for their vibrant pink plumage, these leggy, long-necked waterbirds are delightfully contradictory creatures. They somehow occupy the precise intersection of elegance and oddity, equal parts gangly and graceful, with their dramatically attenuated proportions and bizarrely bent bills. Despite their association in popular culture with idyllic tropical lagoons, many species of flamingos are most at home in extreme environments like high elevation salt pans or caustic soda lakes. The iconic likeness of these wacky waders is frequently utilized for cartoons, beach apparel, and suburban lawn ornaments, but the birds themselves have always been a rare and highly sought-after prize for birders in the ABA Area. In recent weeks, however, flamingo fans across the nation have been presented with a unique opportunity to learn more about the fascinating ecology of these famous fowl through firsthand observation.
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There are few forms of birding that I find as captivating as pelagic trips. The ocean and its myriad inhabitants have long held sway over my imagination, and the potential for new discoveries that each outing promises appeals to my sense of adventure. The amount of time I spend offshore is only limited by how infrequently these excursions are offered. I would gladly greet the sunrise in the deep multiple times a month if scheduling, funding, and weather conditions allowed for it. As it stands, I count myself lucky if I find my way to the continental shelf at least once a year, especially after the forced hiatus that pandemic protocols imposed on our voyages asea.
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Birding is a crucial, inextricable component of my life. It is the lens through which I engage with the splendor and complexity of the world around me. It fills my days with wonderment and frustration and heartbreak and joy in equal measure. It is more than just a hobby, more than a simple pastime. It is the only way I know how to be. Birding is so many things. Birding is an excuse to get out and explore one’s surroundings. It keeps me busy on even the hottest, laziest days of the year. It inspires me to rise before dawn on the first morning of summer break after a hectic semester, motivating me to seek out species I have not yet connected with since the start of 2023 as if they were old friends.
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With the halfway point of 2023 fast approaching, it’s safe to say that this has been a remarkable year so far! The transition from the end of spring into the start of summer is always an exciting time, and this month was a particularly busy one. In the worlds of birding and education alike, June represents a dramatic shift. As the school year winds down, students prepare to move on to the next chapter of their academic careers and teachers breathe a sigh of relief before turning their attention to preparations for next fall. Wildlife across the Northern Hemisphere are caught up in the peak of breeding activity, and evidence of the new lives born in this baby boom can be seen even in the heart of New York City.
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The excitement of peak spring migration is one of the most anticipated holidays in the birding calendar year. In contrast with the prolonged, more casual pace of fall, which provides multiple intense pulses of activity over the course of many months, spring heats up in a hurry and wraps up all too quickly. If one happens to be busy with work or out of town on a handful of key arrival days, one might be left feeling as if they “missed out” on migration altogether. In the hopes of combatting this ever-present risk of FOMO, I make an effort to recognize the suspense that builds ahead of the madcap mania of May as a major component of the fun in its own right.
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You can never keep me away from the Adirondacks for long. Though I don’t get to go birding in New York’s own boreal forest oasis nearly as often as I might like to, I make a conscious effort to take the journey to the far upstate on a regular basis. Some years are regrettably missed, while others provide opportunities for multiple visits, but I’ll always be grateful that this remarkable habitat exists within relatively close striking distance of home. With spring break 2023 rapidly approaching, I realized that I had a perfect chance to explore this beloved corner of my state during a new season. My family used to vacation in the region every summer during my childhood, and I’ve made a number of winter trips in recent years, but I had never before been to the Adirondack Park during early spring.
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Ask any birder about which birds they like best, and you’re bound to receive a wide array of responses. Some species are admired for being majestic or awe-inspiring, while others are beloved for their familiarity and classically cute appearances. In contrast, still others endear themselves to human observers by being downright bizarre in aspect. Behavior is also an important factor, with many naturalists citing impressive migrations, striking displays, or unique adaptations as the most appealing features of their favorites. While matters of taste are wildly variable in such an expansive community, there are some birds that bring us all together in nigh universal appreciation. One perennially popular species for birders and, increasingly, non-birders alike is a creature that perfectly marries fascinating ecology with unusual looks to create its own special brand of irresistible awkward charm: the American Woodcock.
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