Mike Cummins
Past Secretary of SAS
CBC Participant

1. Hooked on birding: Please describe:

a. How you became interested in bird watching. College field trips led by Walter Tordoff.

b. What you did to increase your bird identification skills. - Get a field guide and join SAS

c. Why you continue to enjoy bird watching. - Its in my blood. I will always have a special place for birds and nature.

2. Field of Dreams:

a. Share one of your memorable birding experiences in Stanislaus or Merced County. Trodding through a canal, ankle deep in sludge at Mapes Ranch trying to sneek up on Sandhill Cranes for a photo op, only to lose one shoe in the sludge, and then to find out later that the pics did not even develop because of improper feeding of film on my first SLR.

b. Identify a birding location in Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird there. Wilms Rd. Its where the raptors are found in all seasons. Raptors are my favorite group.

c. Identify a birding spot outside of Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird there. Merced Wildlife Refuge. I enjoy the interpretive roadway accessability. Waterfowl galore.

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. Winter hawks, Rough Legged Hawk and Ferruginous Hawk. I anticipate winter birding in the foothills in search of these two.

b. What bird species that you have not already seen in Stanislaus or Merced County would you would like to find next? Visual sighting of Pigmy Owl, and Long Eared Owl.

c. What is your favorite bird field guide that you take with you in the field (or have in your car)? Nat. Geographic

d. What kind of equipment (binoculars, telescopes, cameras, etc.) do you take along with you while birding? Pentax 10x50

4. Dear Abby:

a. What advice would you give to a new bird watcher? Get help. Seek the SAS. Ask where to find certain birds.

b. What suggestions would you give to a parent to help them encourage their children to become bird watchers? Start with the Bald Eagle. Every child knows what a Bald Eagle is, but probably have never seen one. Very cool when they find their first one.

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