[mou] Birding Skills development

[Jim Ryan]

 Hi all,

In the spirit of Pastor Al Schirmacher,
I finally came up with my own good question:

*Exactly, precisely, how do YOU improve your birding skills?*

>From beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert. (I just made up those
designations)  How does one progress?

Obviously, time spent in the field is the primary requirement, but it needs
to be quality, not just quantity.

When not in the field, I have spent quite a bit of time looking closely at
my Sibley Field guides and have read and re-read Sibley's Birding Basics.  I
have a copy of Peterson's HOW TO KNOW THE BIRDS, which is also helpful in a
general way, and Kaufmans ADVANCED BIRDING, in which I have focused on
several chapters.

I spent a lot of time in my early birding years getting to know a handful of
the common birds REALLY well by sight and sound in all seasons, lighting,
angles, postures, movement patterns, etc.  I also spent a lot of time poring
over my field guide when I was young (Golden was all I had as a kid) and
could not get out of the city/suburbs of Detroit.

I have never been one to use a field notebook much or draw the birds, I
somehow absorbed the shapes of the whole bird and it's parts so that
recognizing Families and many species is second nature now.

I have learned a lot from spending time in the field with other birders who
are better/more experienced than I.

What's your story and what are you working on?

-- 
Sincerely,

Jim Ryan on St. Paul's Westside
651-308-0234 business cell

"A man who dares to waste an hour of time has not discovered the value of
life." - Charles Darwin



-- 
Sincerely,

Jim Ryan on St. Paul's Westside
651-308-0234 business cell

"A man who dares to waste an hour of time has not discovered the value of
life." - Charles Darwin
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