Hi Tweets;

This is in reply to Burt Guttman's request for thoughts on birding
practices, and I have to admit I really appreciate the opportunity to say my
piece in this forum.

Most of you who know me or know of me are aware I am a transplanted
Californian, the daughter of Jack and Ada Davis. So it shouldn't surprise
you to know that I am a listener, as was my father. He far surpassed me in
his ability to identify birds by their calls/songs, and did his best to
teach me his ways. I try.

One of my favorite memories was a day spent birding between Olympia and
Ocean Shores, with a long stop at what was then just Bowerman Basin. I think
that was the day I decided to become a birder; the Marsh Wrens that lined
the road from Lana's Cafe to the end of the hangers charmed me with their
perky tails and competing songs. The "Marsh Hawks" were gracefully swooping
over the grass and everywhere I looked was natural beauty, wide open vistas,
and natural sounds..other than the occasional small airplane.

The kicker was an adult Bald Eagle perched atop one of the posts out in the
bay, brought close by Dad's scope, my first bald eagle in the wild. I was
hooked!

My birding techniques are directly related to my lifestyle; I am somewhat of
a loner and set in my ways. I prefer Connie Sidles' method of setting up
shop in one spot in an area where I can see several directions, getting
quiet, and seeing what happens. That means I generally like to bird alone or
with one other person.

I have gone on several fieldtrips during the Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
and find it to be a good way to see some good birding spots and some good
birds. But ultimately it's too noisy to do any serious birding, and there is
always that need to "move along". I prefer to mosey. So I like to go back to
some of those spots when I have the time and just hang around. No talking
necessary; just watching and listening.

Dianna Moore
Ocean Shores, Wa.
dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com