BIRDING IN SARASOTA 

by Owen Comora

We are often asked "Why is Birdwatching or Birding, America's fastest growing outdoor activity?"  For one thing it is the thrill of the hunt without killing anything.  A recent field trip to Pinecraft Park proved the point.  The park is located in the heart of the Mennonite community just off Bahia Vista Street.  Nineteen members of the Pierian Spring Academy's bird class called "Close Encounters of the Bird Kind" sighted and identified 30 different avian species in little over two hours of exhilarating birding.  

For many in the class  this was the first time they had ever seen Parula Warblers, Green Herons, Purple Martins and a Cooper's Hawk. Walking alongside the creek and through the trails in the park's woods, the group members were learning how to identify birds by sight and by sound.

A few years ago Consumer Reports Magazine ran an article describing how we can "Age Proof Our Brains."  The article went on to suggest that its older readers should take up dancing or join a drama class or take up Birding to learn the names of the birds in their localities. 

You may "Age Proof Your Brain" by becoming a member of the Sarasota Audubon Society.  Attend the monthly meetings and take advantage of the weekly field trips being offered. You might be amazed by how much you will learn after just a few short bird walks with leaders who will do everything in their power to help you to age proof your brain.  For more information about the SAS call 941/364-9212.  

Over the past 12 years, Myakka River State Park has stationed volunteer Bird Naturalists at its boardwalk on the Upper Myakka Lake.  These birders share their spotting scopes,  bird books, photographs and knowledge with visitors who flock to the park from all over the world.  You can learn an enormous amount about the birds and the other animals that live in and around the lake by just listening to, or asking questions of these Bird Naturalists.  They are on duty, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM from the beginning of November to mid-April.  For more information call the Park's Ranger Office at 941/361-6511.

If you consider yourself more of a loner, all is not lost.  Some of our best birders enjoy solitary field trips.  All you need is a pair of binoculars and a decent field guide and you are ready to rumble.  Start out with the birds in your backyard or a nearby park.  Learn the names of the most common birds and expand from there.  

Any binocular is better than no binocular, but if you're looking for a new pair, check out a reputable company like Eagle Optics.com.  Most birders prefer 8X42 roof prism binoculars that are waterproof and allow you to close focus within at least 10 feet of a bird.  Wherever you buy, make you understand the company's return policy and exactly how it's warrantee works.  

There are many good bird field guides available today.  Some of the best include the Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America published by Knopf, Roger Tory Peterson's Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America published by Houghton Mifflin and the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America.  If you are planning only to bird watch in Florida you might consider purchasing the Birds of Florida published by Lone Pine.

In Sarasota we are blessed with mostly wonderful weather. Take advantage of it.  You can go birding almost any day in the year and no matter where or when you go you are sure to fine beautiful birds and some very interesting fellow birders along the way.  

Happy Birding.