Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Everybody's doing it . . .

Thanks to Hawk Owl's Nest for this survey.
What state (or country) do you live in?
California
How long have you been birding? I started birding when I was about 17. Then I stopped until last year.
Are you a "lister"? Yes. I keep my lists on eBird.
ABA Life List: Don't know what that distinction is.
Overall Life List: 58 species.
3 Favorite Birding Spots: Big Basin State Park, my backyard, Henry Cowell State Park.
Favorite birding spot outside your home country: Haven't birded outside the US.
Farthest you've traveled to chase a rare bird: An hour away to see a Crested Caracara -- I was unsuccessful.
Nemesis bird: Don't have one.
"Best" bird sighting: Black Crowned Night Heron -- spotted him in his juvenile plummage and watched him change all winter until he was looking sharp.
nightheron
Most wanted trip: ???
Most wanted bird: Clear sighting of a Pileated Woodpecker would be nice. Even better if it would be in my backyard! :)
What model and brand of bins do you use?: Cheapies from Kmart.
What model and brand of scope do you use?: Don't have one.
What was the last lifer you added to your list?: Barn Owl on 10/1/2006
Where did you see your last lifer?: Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing, CA.
What's the last bird you saw today?: Well, it's early in the morning and no one is at the feeders yet. The last bird I saw yesterday was a Chestnut-backed Chickadee.
Best bird song you've heard ever: Mockingbird. I had one that used to sing for hours in my backyard years ago in another house. And, it learned to imitate my dog's whining and would trick me into going out to see what was wrong.
Favorite birding moment: That moment when you identify a new bird and you're SURE. Too many times I'm NOT sure -- being sure is a nice feeling. :)
Least favorite thing about birding: All the lousy pictures I've taken of something cool.
Raven Shadows
Favorite thing about birding: Getting out and communing with nature.
Favorite field guide for the US: Sibley and Peterson in concert -- I like to check them both.
Favorite non-field guide bird book: ???
Who is your birder icon?: Julie Zickefoose and Bill Thompson III. I idolize their life.
Do you have a bird feeder(s)? I have several.
Favorite feeder bird? Anna's Hummingbird and Chestnut-backed Chickadee tie for that honor. They are my most consistent feeder birds.
Hummer my little chickadee

5 comments:

Patrick B. said...

Thanks for filling out the survey! The ABA Life List is your list that encompasses the continental US, Alaska, and Canada. That's collectively known as the ABA (American Birding Association) area.

Nice blog!!!

Unknown said...

Ah, well, then, my ABA Life List number is the same as my regular lifelist -- 58.
And, thanks!

Susan Gets Native said...

A night heron! I really want to check that one off my list.

Crafty Green Poet said...

I notice that you don't have a favourite non field guide bird book listed - may I recommend The Beak of the Finch, a book about Darwin's finches. Wonderful book. Wish I could remember the authors!

Unknown said...

I'll add it to my Amazon wishlist. Thanks for the recommendation . . . It appears to be by Jonathan Weiner. Thanks again!