Nancy, I have a journal a dear friend gave me which she found
remaindered at a bookstore. It's the Audubon Lifelist Journal, has all
the birds listed, with space for where, when, whether they were
seen/heard or both, plus wonderful illustrations throughout. There are
some lined pages at the back, and there I have my yard list (saw an owl
sp. last night...wasn't wearing my glasses so not sure which owl, except
that it wasn't a snowy, which are seen around my area - it was exciting
to see regardless!).

Also, www.enature.com has lists you can compile. It's free, has nice
pictures, and you can also keep track of other creatures than birds. I
like to update it from time to time, just to see all my birds in
pictures in one place.

I have considered creating a journal just for birding, since I have
journals for so many other things (big on journaling, me). I have a
picture I painted of a warbler for the cover, just haven't quite decided
on the format. I like the idea of a journal to tote with when I go,
just to keep my lists in. Eventually I'll get around to it. Currently
I tote whichever nature journal I have and keep a list there. It's fun
to flip through and see what I saw on that day, so I'm thinking it would
be more fun to have it all in one place. Something tall and narrow, so
it would fit in a pocket, with friendly paper for lists and
sketches...guess I know what I'm doing this weekend...then perhaps off
to Canada to check out some of the birds that have been listed on the
RBA for Vancouver - there are some 30 birds or so that would be lifers
for me...

Laurie Moeck
Ferndale, WA


Nancy asked:
How do people construct a life list?