bobfair@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Bob Fairbairn) (05/18/84)
I was pleased to find that there is a news group dedicated to birding
(formerly known as bird-watching). I first became interested in birding
while we lived in Fairfax, Virginia from 1979 to early this year; and I
have found it to be a very enjoyable, satisfying, and relaxing hobby.
Besides that, in its simplest form, it has to be one of the least expensive
hobbies around - requiring only the one-time purchase of a decent pair of
binoculars and a field guide book (Golden Press "Birds of North America"
may not satisfy the experts, but is easy to use and a real bargain at $8).
I haven't done any travelling for the purpose of birding, as many avid
birders do, but rather have concentrated on the area within walking distance
of our home. Using this approach, I identified over 70 species around our
neighborhood in Virginia. Most non-birders are amazed to hear that there
might ever be that many different kinds of birds within sight of their home.
In March of this year I transferred to SDC's office in Camarillo, Calif.
and am living in the nearby Santa Rosa Valley, which is largely rural/
agricultural. With the distance and contrasts between this area and Virginia,
it is almost like starting all over on my list of bird sightings. So far,
some of the more interesting birds I've seen here are:
Rufous-sided Towhee(Western Race)
Bullock's Oriole
Hooded Oriole
Streak-backed Oriole
Roadrunner (they really don't go beep-beep)
Black-shouldered Kite
California Thrasher
Western and Cassin's Kingbirds
Loggerhead Shrike
We live about 30 miles from the California Condor sanctuary, and one of my
greatest birding wishes is to see a soaring condor in the wild.
Happy Birding,
Bob Fairbairn