Birding in Context

Though I have been a birder for more than 35 years, I have never been one to chase after rare birds or to plan my vacations to add species to my life list. Nor am I crazy about group birding or bird related sporting events such as a "Big Year."

As a naturalist, I enjoy watching birds within the context of their natural habitat, observing their interaction with plants and other animals and coming to understand how they contribute to the function of that ecosystem. Whether the setting is a barrier island, a mountain forest, a rolling prairie or a suburban neighborhood, birds play important roles, as foragers, hunters and potential prey. Furthermore, since many species are migratory, their unique contribution is often seasonal, either as temporary residents or as transient visitors.

Like other creatures, birds are far more interesting than items on a checklist and we cannot truly appreciate their importance without recognizing their vital role in maintaining the health of natural ecosystems. To know a bird only by its appearance is to accept a superficial understanding of nature's complex web of life.

The Unexpected

In the course of our daily lives, unexpected events tend to be of the negative variety, producing hardship and disruption; accidents, injuries, acute illness, plumbing problems and other crises come to mind. Indeed, there are some periods in our lives when we seem to lurch from one crisis to another.

However, for those of us who enjoy the exploration of natural areas, unexpected events are usually rewarding and, in fact, motivate our desire to engage in such activity. Unexpected encounters with various species of wildlife or theretofore unseen plants instill memories that draw us back to the woods, fields and wetlands. It is the anticipation of such experiences that encourage naturalists to visit new areas, whether they are just across town or on the other side of the globe.

Over time, the unexpected may occur less frequently but the potential for its resurgence continues to feed our thirst for adventure. After all, the opportunity to experience nature's hidden and transient gifts is reserved for those who immerse themselves in her varied ecosystems.

Naturalist Philosophy

We naturalists may have our individual areas of expertise but our primary interest is in the diversity of life, the interdependence of plants and animals and the relationship of life forms to their physical environment. And while we enjoy visiting National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, we know that there is a lifetime of nature study within our own communities.

This interest in natural ecosystems spawns a commitment to conservation, primarily through the protection of native habitat; beyond the establishment of nature preserves, we know that unbridled development, environmental pollution and excessive consumption are the primary threats to these ecosystems and that damage to one will, in time, affect all others.

But the overriding tenet of naturalist philosophy is that man is an integral part of nature, not a chosen species, created to oversee, manipulate and plunder our wild neighbors and home planet. This delusion arises from our superior brain power, the one and only trait in which we excel; indeed, our physical capabilities pale in comparison with other creatures. In the overall scheme of nature, we are far more expendable than fungi, photosynthetic plants and pollinating insects; it is this realization that humbles the naturalist and makes us understand that the welfare of humankind is directly tied to the health of our natural environment.

Rewards of Ugly Weather

This morning dawned cold and gray in central Missouri and the threat of chilly rain or wet snow was beginning to douse our spring fever. Nevertheless, I decided to make my weekly spring visit to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on the Missouri River floodplain, and was rewarded by both solitude and a spectacular diversity of wildlife.

Carpets of purple henbit tried to adorn the landscape but grays and browns still ruled as winter had yet to abandon the valley. Near the entrance to this wetland preserve, two sandhill cranes, stained a tawny brown, foraged on a burned field with a noisy flock of killdeer. Throughout the refuge, coot, Canada geese and ducks gathered on the ponds, early shorebirds fed in the shallows and clouds of red-winged blackbirds moved across the fields. A tardy flock of snow geese weaved overhead, a pair of bald eagles cavorted in the cold, gray sky and white-tailed deer raced among the corn stubble, chasing off the morning chill. Once again, American white pelicans highlighted my visit; at least a thousand of those stately birds were resting along levees toward the south end of the refuge, lifting into the air as my pickup approached.

Too often, nature lovers wait for mild, sunny days to explore the great outdoors; humans, after all, are tropical creatures, not designed to function in cold, wet conditions and prone to wait out bad weather in our modern caves. However, those who do venture into the gloom develop a better appreciation for our natural ecosystems; wild creatures, equipped to deal with inclement weather, are often more active and conspicuous on chilly days. And then there is the solitude...a friend of any true naturalist.