Stabalization

It’s not often I get to add a bird to my NYC list these days. For the uninitiated, Listing is the process of marking down all the birds you’ve seen. There are life lists (birds seen in a lifetime), annual lists (birds seen year-by-year), county lists, country lists, trip lists…. you get the idea. If you grew up in my era, I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “Gotta Catch ‘Em All!”, so it’s no surprising birding, and by extension listing, has really caught on with the latest generation of bird watchers.

But I’m trying to keep my birding joyful.

Wild New York, as a YouTube show, was a labor of love. Heavy on the Labor. Since I’ve transitioned to working professionally as an outdoor educator and urban naturalist, I’ve spent much less time chasing after species. There are birdwatchers who run down each and every alert, maintain meticulous lists, and try to have the broadest possible experience. More power to them!

But it’s not for me.

One thing that has always made wildlife experiences special for me is the serendipity of an encounter. The unplanned Owl, the Surprising Skunk, or even an immaculate lizard— a moment really sticks with you when it happens out of the blue. Two of my favorite encounters ever, an American Crocodile in the Everglades and a Pacific Fisher along the John Muir Trail, both happened unexpectedly and would be seared into my memory even without the photos. Maybe I’d be able to generate more consistent content if I changes my approach, but for now, I want to be as pleased when I step out of the house as I am when I get back to it.

I’m also a hypocrite.

If we’re honest, we all are to some degree in the bird watching community, and that’s ok too. When I heard reports that Northern Harriers were being seen along the Pelham Bay Landfill again, I had to go. I’ve worked in and around Pelham Bay Park a ton over the last three years, but the raptor they call the Grey Ghost has consistently eluded me. So, I packed up the ‘ol camera and went a-chasin’.

Harriers are insanely cool

Northern Harriers are among the coolest birds around. Halfway between an owl and a hawk, Harriers use their facial disks to find small mammals hidden in the grasslands, but can sometimes be seen swooping down on ducks or chasing passerines on the wing. They soar somewhat slowly like a buteo, but right above the tall grass, occasionally hovering in midair before pouncing on a snack. Unfortunately the one I observed, still a juvenile, didn’t land a successful dive. Still, it was a magical experience watching this bird at work, especially after so many years of striking out on them. It’s not going to be often that I add new Birds of Prey to this website, so I’m trying to really savor the moment. And forgive myself for being willing to chase a cool sighting. 10/10 would recommend.