My turn as a birding guide

My office hosted a conference for colleagues from similar offices at other universities this week. As part of the festivities, I offered to lead a birding walk at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm.

Tuesday dawned partly sunny and partly muggy, but conditions were good for the walk. As for the birds, this was one of those days when they were elusive.

In our leisurely hour-long stroll, we only identified nine species, an unusually low total, even for the middle of summer. Although there was a typical chorus of field sparrows, stunningly, we heard just one common yellowthroat. Normally in similar circumstances, I’d record 10 or 12.

We did get one unusual sighting, a common raven that squawked as it flew overhead. That’s only the third time I can recall spotting a raven at Mercer Meadows, the second on the Pole Farm side of the park.

I only had occasion to raise my camera a couple of times. A willow flycatcher came into view as we were heading back down the trail, and a gray catbird poked out of a tree. The catbird shots weren’t worth saving, although I had two fair frames of the flycatcher.

Two of my colleagues on the walk work at Cornell University, and we spoke glowingly about the Cornell-developed Merlin app. We demonstrated it on site.

The walk was the first time I led a group outing, and it was a pleasure to show off the Pole Farm. Even though we saw unusually few birds, I was happy to share my love of birding.

I didn’t probe deeply, but those who joined me were more “birding curious” than active birders. Several talked about birds spotted in their yards at home. I’m betting many of these new friends will be paying more attention to their avian visitors when they get home.