Every time I go birding, I learn something. Something from the birds, something from other birders, something from nature or something from me.
This week I went to a new birding territory chasing a fairly rare bird for this area. It was early in the morning and there were not many people there – actually not a lot of birds either.
I drove a little further and saw someone parked and standing by his car with Bins in hand. It’s a pretty easy leap – he was a birder.
I drove a little closer.
He approached my car. He had a mask on, so I rolled down the window.
Turns out he was an eBirder who’s name I recognized.
Turns out he was looking for the same bird – a Tricolored Heron or as we birders say – the Tri. He told me it was probably a little early for Herons and Egrets, they start to come out of their roosts after the sun warms it up a bit. I did not know that. Schooled – in a really good way!
Turns out his battery had died and he shyly asked me if I would give him a jump.
Of course – turns out his car has an issue with popping the hood. It takes two people – so I gloved up (seriously?) and tried to help.
To no avail. He said he would call a friend with a screwdriver.
I was on my way. I didn’t see the bird, but I did circle back to catch some more osprey copulation in the early morning light.
When I passed him again, he had someone helping him. I did a tour of Ocean Drive in Newport with a smile on my face and sped home to start my work day. Later on eBird, I saw that he spotted the Tri about 20 minutes after I saw him. I was still on the Island.
Not only did I learn from my fellow birder, but I also learned from me. It feels really good to help out someone else – even if you have to mask and glove up first.
Or maybe because you have to mask and glove up first.
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