Andy Stepniewski wrote:

>" A significant number of forest songbirds were "heard only" sightings.
This
> May-July dependence on songs and calls was especially driven home to me as
a
> leader, who dearly wished more of these birds would expose themselves to
our
> binos. Without playback tapes, one simply does not see many species
> readily. We did not use tapes, save for the Hermit Warbler." >

No one wishes more than I for visual contact but I surely do wish I could
hear them as well. I expect it is hard for those of us with good hearing to
imagine what the loss of it means to those of us who love birds. About the
only bird I can hear any more is the Crow. Hearing aides in both ears are
barely enough to let me communicate with people and just don't cut it with
the birds. What a severe handicap this is! It makes visual sighting much
more difficult and all the more precious.

Ed Lamb, Bellevue, WA