Utah County Birders Newsletter
Dec 2001
MEETING:
There will be no meeting this month.
FIELD TRIPS:
Saturday, January 12, 2002.
We will have Breakfast at Carol Jean Nelson's house.
Then visit the feeders of some of our local Birders.
Meet at 7:50 a.m. at the Provo Temple west parking lot.
Life List
by Dennis Shirley
Most birders are listers of one form or another.
Many of us have chased around the state this last year so that we could record
another bird and put it on our list. Just the last little while, I have
personally chased a Little Gull, a Mew Gull, a Common Redpoll, and a Ruff.
Some chases have been successful, and some have not. But on each occasion, I was
accompanied by family or friends, and that put the chase on my "list" of
memories.
I spent the better part of a day and a half at Stan and Bonnie William's
home, and no, we did not see the common redpoll, but I was in the company of
good friends and did see a "list" of the photographs of their 29 grandkids and
shared in the pride they have for their family.
December
Our fieldtrip "lists" are memorable because of the camaraderie we share
one with another.
It's always a memorable "list" when you are birding along the causeway at
Antelope Island or other places and meet old friends that you don't get to see
often enough.
Awhile back, I came across a quote in the "Reader's Digest" the gist of
which concerned "lists." It went something like this:
Try to list the five wealthiest people in
the world.
Now list the last five winners of the Miss
American competition.
List ten people who have won the Nobel or
Pulitzer Prize.
How would anybody remember any of these? But at the time, it was a
big deal.
Now, contrast that with the rest of the "list."
List three friends who have helped you through a
difficult time.
List five people who have taught you something
worthwhile.
List a few people who have made you feel
appreciated and special.
And then I might add:
List your top five birding companions.
List your most memorable "lifers" and who was
with you at the time.
List the people who have been most influential in
your birding experiences.
Lists of the birds we've seen are important to all of us. But the
"lists" of friends, memories, and experiences are the real "lifers."
It's a day
by Robin Tuck
It's been over 5 years that I have
written this monthly article, and I feel it is time to call it a day and turn it
over to others. I have noticed myself becoming more out of step with the
majority of the birders in the club (and out of it as well), while noticing
others who have fit in and excelled. As a result, this will be my last regular
issue of "Robin's View". I may write periodic articles in the future as I feel I
have something to say.
Five years ago, I started this series of articles with a challenge for
everyone to do "something significant." I will end with this same challenge. The
quality of this club and the expertise of its members is determined by the
improvement made by each individual.
I have seen tremendous growth in knowledge and skill in many of you this
past 5 years. Some of this growth was due to the aggressive contests we held,
which provided encouragement to step out of our comfort zones and do
more birding. I challenge you to do even more this coming year. True excellence
is within your grasp, if you but make an attempt to do more and learn more.
I remember advising a co-worker who was working on an invention that "if
it ain't wrote, it ain't so." He ultimately got the patent, after documenting
his process. This same advice applies to us all. Now is the time for us all to
improve our list, journal, and article writing skills. If you see it, record it.
If it happens to you, write it in a journal. If it is interesting, share it in
an article. If you don't record it, how will you remember it really happened.
Excellence can happen, but you need a measurement device to help you
recognize the change. Written records provide this measurement. In all your
doing, do something. It almost doesn't matter what you do, just do something and
keep doing it. Record your doings and soon you will notice the improvement.
This has been a great five years, but the best is yet to come. I'll see
you in the field, birding.
Subscriptions Due Now
Now is the time to check your mailing address on this newsletter, not only for accuracy, but for your subscription expiration. The goal is for
all to pay up to Jan. 2003, a dollar a month, to simplify the records while enjoying the news.
May your feathered friends visit you regularly. This winter has surprised us with a regular White-breasted Nuthatch, a flock of about 50 Pine
Siskins, and a neighborhood Merlin pair to enliven our landscape.
Send Dues to Sylvia Cundick
3155 Bannock Dr.
Provo, UT 84604