I actually found that it looks best in binoculars, more contrast and you can take in the whole tail. This is what it looks like nearly uncropped with a 180mm lens, the tail is HUGE! Definitely worth checking out since it now so easy to see in the evening.

Denise Hughes

I’m encouraged, Bill and Larry. As one just starting out in birding by way of recording birdsong soundscapes I’m impressed with the seemingly vast number of feathered friends one might become acquainted with. I’ve had the delight of meeting several in the group that appear to me to be unconscious competents at recognizing birds. It’s second nature to them. It’s reflexive. They still seem to love it, too. I’m open to being convinced, but I’m not convinced yet that I want to devote the endless effort required to becoming able to identify every last bird that crosses my path. I resonate to the proposition that there is joy in it at every level. 

I’ve been birding and listing for about 50 years, both back east and out west for the last 35 years and was sent all over the country for work. I decided years ago that several types of birds should just be lumped, which spares me the effort to find difficult (at times esoteric) field marks to get a specific ID.

I now call all small streaky brown birds – “sparrows” all empids – flycatchers and especially all small shorebirds – shorebirds. All of them are on my life lists anyway and now I just enjoy watching them and leave the bird book on the windowsill or in my pocket when these pesky highly lumpable fellows get near me.

Bill Moore

Hoot Owl Rd

Inkom

Jay