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Kent Van
Vuren
Merced County Bird Records
Keeper
1. Hooked on birding:
Please describe:
a. How you became
interested in bird watching. I went with my family
to Everglades NP in 1963 & got hooked
b. What you did to
increase your bird identification skills. Birded
with better birders and got the best field guide out
c. Why you continue
to enjoy bird watching. They are fascinating animals
and look great
2. Field of Dreams:
a. Share one of your
memorable birding experiences in Stanislaus or
Merced County. After birding for several hours at
the O'neil Forebay without seeing much finding a
Worm eating Warbler. Birding the Modesto Sewage
Ponds for the first time with Jim Gain.
b. Identify a birding
location in Stanislaus or Merced County that you
enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird
there. The O'neil Forebay and Merced NWR because you
can see a lot of different species in a small amount
of time.
c. Identify a birding
spot outside of Stanislaus or Merced County that you
enjoy going to and explain why you like to bird
there. Bodega Bay in Sonoma County it has great
birding and is very scenic.
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. White Faced
Ibis because they are such classy birds.
b. What bird species
that you have not already seen in Stanislaus or
Merced County would you would like to find next?
Pacific Golden Plover in Merced Co.
c. What is your
favorite bird field guide that you take with you in
the field (or have in your car)? National Geographic
A Field Guide To The Birds Of North America d. What
kind of equipment (binoculars, telescopes, cameras,
etc.) do you take along with you while birding? Kowa
TSN823 spotting scope, Swarovski 10 X 40 EL
binoculars
4. Dear Abby:
a. What advice would
you give to a new bird watcher? Bird as many
different habitats as you can and try to go out with
birders that are more advanced than you are. Don't
pretend to be better than you are.
b. What suggestions
would you give to a parent to help them encourage
their children to become bird watchers? Buy them
binoculars & a bird book and take them to birdy
places
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