Just to add my own anecdotes into the fray, I've been birding since I was
around four or so, thanks to my Mom and to Thais Bock (a venerable South
King County guru). I could handle binoculars, I had the patience, and I
wa an obsessive -- if overzealous -- listmaker. (Of course, birding was
also the best way for Mom and I to escape my father's steroid rages...)

At the same time, however, I agree that most kids can't handle birding
very well. I have an 11-year-old half-brother and a 7-year-old
half-sister, neither of whom tolerate much if any birdwatching. I just
hope to instill some values now, and perhaps their attention spans will
catch up. Of course, they're also being fed a diet of Mighty Morphin
Power Rangers, Pogs and Nintendo, so the damage may already be done...

Coll "Maybe the Name Had Something to Do with It" Thrush
Western Washington University