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Randy Little
Active Stanislaus County Birder
1. Hooked on birding:
Please describe:
a. How you became interested
in bird watching. I enrolled in a UCSC field study class at
Carrizo Plains. The idea was to see San Joaquin Kit Fox,
Tule Elk, and Pronghorn. The instructor was Bruce Elliott.
He is a great birder from Monterey and he pointed out
Long-billed Curlew, Ferruginous Hawks, Merlin, Short-eared
Owls, Mountain Plover, Burrowing Owls, etc. His entheusiasim
for birding was contagious and I enrolled and gone with him
on other UCSC field study classes.
b. What you did to increase
your bird identification skills. Besides self study with
many books, field guides, audio tapes, software, I've
enrolled in a correspondence course on bird biology through
Cornell Ornithology Lab. I've been a student of Joe Morlan (SFCC)
and Les Chibana (PAAE) in field ornithology, I've taken bird
banding classes with Jim Steele at SFSU's Sierra Nevada
Field Campus at Yuba Pass. I've also attended the ABA's Fall
Warbler Workshop at Point Pelee, ON with Kimbell Garrett and
Jon Dunn. I've taken a workshop from Don Roberson on "How to
write a rare bird report". Also, I've learned just going out
on field trips and birding tours with various groups and
organizations.
c. Why you continue to enjoy
bird watching. I like the challenge of "listing". I'm a
county lister in California as well as the ABA categories. I
enjoy the challenge of finding new birds and it gives me a
reason to "get out there and do something".
2. Field of Dreams:
a. Share one of your
memorable birding experiences in Stanislaus or Merced
County. I've enjoyed sharing and introducing Stanislaus
County birding locations with Les Chibana's Palo Alto Adult
Education Class. We basically do a winter trip and start at
the SJR NWR, procede to Turlock Lake SRA, go up the Tuolumne
River to La Grange and Dawson Lake, then cross over to
Knights Ferry on Crabtree/Wilms Road, then down the
Stanislaus River to Woodward Reservoir or until dark,
whichever comes first.
b. Identify a birding
location in Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going
to and explain why you like to bird there. Del Puerto Canyon
is my favorite in Stanislaus County. It's a change in
habitat and diversity of species that can be found there
that is appealing. In Merced County, it is Merced NWR in
winter. The spectacule of the waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes
rising into flight is always amazing.
c. Identify a birding spot
outside of Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going
to and explain why you like to bird there. Point Reyes NS in
the fall is my favorite "day trip" location. Every year
during fall migration is a surprise and it's never the same
from one year to the next. The "not knowing what will show
up" makes it my favorite. McAllen, TX and the lower Rio
Grande Valley is great in the spring and I get to see many
species that we don't get here. Outside the USA, it's Costa
Rica, although I've only been once. The diversity of
birdlife is amazing.
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. Phainopepla because I had my life sighting
at Knight's Ferry and for some reason I just like them.
Watching the Lesser Nighthawks in the summer along Wilms
Road is pretty cool, but can be hot. Also, with a last name
of "Little" and being 5'6", I kinda like Ross's Geese and
Cackling Geese.
b. What bird species that you
have not already seen in Stanislaus or Merced County would
you would like to find next? Mountain Plover. Les and I have
looked for them and have "dipped".
c. What is your favorite bird
field guide that you take with you in the field (or have in
your car)? I have a Sibley in the car, but if I am hiking or
away from my car, I carry a copy of NGS, just because it's
smaller. I've found that I don't like the "western region"
versions of these field guides, because sometimes you find
some "rare" and it may not be in western edition, so I like
to have the North American editions.
d. What kind of equipment
(binoculars, telescopes, cameras, etc.) do you take along
with you while birding? I have a pair of Swarovski 10x42 and
a Kowa TSN-2. I haven't started taking a camera yet because
my scope isn't the best for digiscoping. Maybe when a get a
new scope in a year or two. I also take an Olympus digital
voice recorder for recording species seen and to make notes
on rare birds seen. I've recently starting taking a Palm
Tungsten, which has a voice recorder, and I can create or
download ABA or local checklists, and it has RealPlayer,
which I have downloaded the Cornell Ornithology Lab audio
files from their CD's in MP3 format. This can be useful for
the field to identify unfamiliar calls and songs. I also
have a pair of Creative Soundworks miniature speakers to can
amplify the calls for owling or getting responses from of
the more ellusive species like rails, sora, etc.
4. Dear Abby:
a. What advice would you give
to a new bird watcher? Go with local groups to learn the
local birding locations and ask questions about what you are
seeing. Most birders will help if asked about help with
identification. Learn your local birds in their various
plumage in all seasons, don't worry about learning all the
birds of North America or even California. Once you feel
confident with the common, local birds and you see something
that you are familiar with or can't identify, then maybe
you've found something to get your field guide out.
b. What suggestions would you
give to a parent to help them encourage their children to
become bird watchers? It's fun, it can be as casual or as
competative as you or they want it to be. It gets kids out
into nature, teaches them about ecology, and to be active
and get some exercise.
5. Other: I am a Stanislaus
County native, although I live in Milpitas, in Santa Clara
County now. I still have family in Stanislaus and San Joaquin
Counties and still like to go birding and bring other birders
and family to the various spots in Stanislaus, Merced and San
Joaquin Counties. |
