Encouraging New Birdwatchers

Yesterday I took in a "Birding By Ear" class at our local Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. This was led by the highly respected Mark Johns, formerly with the NC State Wildlife Commission. Mark had been something of an Obi-Wan Kenobi to me as I learned birds and their songs starting 18 years ago. In yesterday's class, I found myself more in Mark's role than usual. Most of the participants were very new to birdwatching, so I spent time reinforcing what Mark was teaching at the front of the line. But more importantly, to me, was being sure to encourage them. As I learned the birds, I found far too many birders to be arrogant show-offs, more interested in scoring points than motivating lifelong interest in anyone new. That won't happen here. I was thrilled that there were people who were eager to learn about the birds who are around us every day. I think they had a good outing and I expect most will return for more trail time.