John Luther
#1 California County Lister

1. Hooked on birding:
Please describe:

a. How you became interested in bird watching. Camping throughout the west with my family as I grew up in California.

b. What you did to increase your bird identification skills. Looked at birds carefully, took notes, birded with birders who knew more than I did.

c. Why you continue to enjoy bird watching. I love to travel to revisit birding spots I already know and to see new areas and birds throughout the west and the rest of the world. And of course I love to add new county birds in California.

2. Field of Dreams:

a. Share one of your memorable birding experiences in Stanislaus or Merced County. Finding a Solitary Sandpiper with Jim Lomax at Modesto Sewage Ponds.

b. Identify a birding location in Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird there. I always enjoy birding the O'Neill Forebay and campgrounds there as you never know what interesting waterbirds or migrants will be found.

c. Identify a birding spot outside of Stanislaus or Merced County that you enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird there. All of Alpine County especially Kirkwood Meadows for the beauty of the high mountains and Indian Creek Reservoir and Diamond Valley for waterbirds in migration.

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. Yellow-billed Magpie - I always enjoy this wonderful bird and never see them at my home in Oakland.

b. What bird species that you have not already seen in Stanislaus or Merced County would you would like to find next? Curlew Sandpiper

c. What is your favorite bird field guide that you take with you in the field (or have in your car)? I always have National Geographic Birds of North America and Sibley Guide in my jeep.

d. What kind of equipment (binoculars, telescopes, cameras, etc.) do you take along with you while birding? B+L 10X42 Elite binoculars and Kowa spotting scope.

4. Dear Abby:

a. What advice would you give to a new bird watcher? Have fun and take your binoculars where ever you go.

b. What suggestions would you give to a parent to help them encourage their children to become bird watchers? Don't encourage them to be bird watchers, but encourage them to be outside and observe everything. Most important is to do it with them and share your love of living things, your enthusiasum for observing them and your concern for preserving their habitat.