Isn't it wonderful how the prospect of seeing new birds can take away some of
the ONUS of moving?!!

Until we settled here, we had numerous moves via the U.S. Navy. Didn't get
into more serious birding until the latter half of the 24 years. Then I
started carrying seed and a birdfeeder in the car which I hung long before
furniture, etc. arrived. I've even hung a feeder by the motor home in the
campground while the house hunting was going on! Couldn't wait to see what
was in the area.

I still remember the thrill when I first saw my first covey of Bobwhites going
through my yard in Virginia and later a family of Pileated Woodpeckers at the
suet feeder. My first "mob" of Evening Grosbeaks was exciting too. And the
beautiful Cardinals on the snow-covered dogwood tree off our screened-in porch
was a sight to behold.

Most of our moves were from coast to coast (the Navy, you know) and I picked
up several "lifers" as we drove along the highways. I've always thought there
should be a "Field Guide to Birding by Wire And Fence".

We've lived in New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Illinois, numerous places in
California, Hawaii and Alaska. (Adak) All of these moves were made more
exciting by the "new" birds we had for neighbors. (often better than the human
variety!)

Joan Macdonald
Issaquah, WA