Jeff Brown
Active Local Birder and CBC Participant

1. Hooked on birding:
Please describe:

a. How you became interested in bird watching. I first became interested in bird watching during a Biology of the Sierra Nevada class that I took at M.J.C. The instructor challenged us to be able to at least identify the birds in our front yard. I took that challenge to heart.

b. What you did to increase your bird identification skills. In the beginning, studying my field guide was my main education. Since then, I have attended birding seminars and conferences, listened to bird sound tapes, watched instructional videos, and read more specialized books on bird identification. Attending field trips with more experienced birders and asking questions has also been a great help.

c. Why you continue to enjoy bird watching. Two main reasons: 1. Every time you go out, you have the chance of seeing something new or different. It is never the same experience. You never know what you are going to find. 2. The competition aspect of listing also plays a part in my interest.

2. Field of Dreams:

a. Share one of your memorable birding experiences in Stanislaus or Merced County. Finding a Lark Bunting on Crabtree Rd. was quite memorable. Another would be when on Davis Rd. near Turlock Lake, I saw an osprey flying across with a fish in its talons. The fish was being held parallel with the bird as you often see in pictures. Then from out of no where came a Red-Tailed hawk the began attempting to pirate the fish. It was quite a show. The osprey prevailed.

b. Identify a birding location in Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird there. I enjoy the Crabtree/Wilm's/Cooperstown Rd. loop in winter because of the raptors that you can find. In spring, I would have to say Del Puerto Canyon. Grasshopper sparrows, Costa's hummingbird, and the chance to see a roadrunner is always a possibility.

c. Identify a birding spot outside of Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird there. Southeastern Arizona, the Huachuca Mountains in particular, have always been a fun place when I have visited there. I have been down there three times and have never been disappointed. The number of different species of hummingbirds is amazing. Best bird, the elegant trogon.

3. A Few of My Favorite Things:

a. Pick 2 or 3 Stanislaus or Merced County bird species and explain why you look forward to seeing them. Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle. They are so big and majestic. You never lose the excitement when seeing an eagle.

b. What bird species that you have not already seen in Stanislaus or Merced County would you would like to find next? Pinyon Jay or an Indigo Bunting.

c. What is your favorite bird field guide that you take with you in the field (or have in your car)? National Geographic Fieldguide to the Birds of North America. I have all 4 editions.

d. What kind of equipment (binoculars, telescopes, cameras, etc.) do you take along with you while birding? I use Nikon 9X30 binoculars. I also have a basic Bushnell Spacemaster spotting scope that works well for me.

4. Dear Abby:

a. What advice would you give to a new bird watcher? Go on fieldtrips with the local groups when offered and don't hesitate to ask questions! This is the best way to learn. Read your field guide over and over and over.

b. What suggestions would you give to a parent to help them encourage their children to become bird watchers? Help them identify the most common of local birds. The ones the encounter everyday. Don't burn your children out on birding. Short trips to the local parks, wildlife refuges, or waterways are all good ways to get them started. When out and about, talk about all different kinds of things with regard to nature, not just the birds.