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ABA'S SECOND YOUNG BIRDERS' CONFERENCE

July 31-August 4, 2002. Sierra Vista, Arizona
Sponsored by Leica Sport Optics and WINGS

A Passion for Birds

by Jessie Barry

The inaugural ABA Young Birders' Conference (YBC), held in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2000, was an unqualified success (see Steve Howell's write-up in the August 2000 issue of Winging It). So along with eighteen other young birders ages 14-18, I welcomed the chance to attend the second incarnation of this unique event, held in Sierra Vista, Arizona, July 31-August 4 and sponsored by Leica and WINGS. While a few young birders (YBs) typically attend ABA's general Conventions, they may find themselves afloat among the hundreds of adults. In contrast, the YBC offers a unique opportunity for YBs to learn from expert leaders while birding with a national cross-section of their peers.

Upon our arrival in at the airport in Tucson, the first few minutes were a bit awkward as several YBs talked with old friends while others shyly gazed toward the floor. But the awkwardness was short-lived: after half the YBs had trickled off the planes, the first van departed to the Windermere Hotel and Conference Center in Sierra Vista, the home base for the YBC. And shortly after checking in at the hotel, we were off to the San Pedro House for our first taste of southeastern Arizona birding.

The hummingbird feeders at the San Pedro House swarmed with Black-chinned, Rufous/Allen's, Broad-tailed, and Calliope Hummingbirds. The group's leaders, Steve Howell, Jon Dunn, Louise Zemaitis, and Michael O'Brien, popped into action, pointing out species, training the Leica scopes on the birds, discussing the finer points of identification, and tirelessly answering questions. The intense focus on details proved typical of the event, which emphasized close observation and study of the birds. Still, some YBs racked up over 70 lifers! Jennie Duberstein, Editorial Advisor for A Bird's-Eye View and Brete Griffin, ABA's Director of Education, kept things running smoothly, while "former YBs" Nick Block and Ken Behrens served as conference assistants.

Breakfast at 5 a.m. the next day seemed especially early to those of us who had taken advantage of the rare opportunity to stay up late chatting with other YBs. The vans loaded shortly after 5:30 as the group split for field trips to Carr/Ramsey Canyons or Garden/Scheelite/Sawmill Canyons. I headed out with Michael and Louise for the hike from Carr Canyon to Ramsey Canyon, and these famous locations were productive from the very start: Buff-breasted Flycatchers called from the parking area at Carr Canyon, with Greater Pewees spotted farther down the trail. A rustling in the bushes just past arm's length caught our attention. We expected a small lizard to come into view, but much to our surprise, three Montezuma Quail popped out of nowhere and scurried up the hillside, allowing incredible views. A family of Spotted Owls was another highlight, as was a Berylline Hummingbird on a nest. After the 4.8-mile hike, we were glad to relax by the feeders at Ramsey Canyon Preserve, where we studied a male White-eared Hummingbird.

The morning's field time was supplemented by afternoon and evening workshops. Louise Zemaitis was first to present. Her workshop, "Sketching in the Field," challenged us all to quickly sketch slides while she discussed techniques for keeping a field journal and the importance observation skills. After dinner, Steve Howell opened our eyes to a new level of hummingbird identification. We pulled each North American species apart looking at shapes of primaries, post-ocular spots, various shades of auriculars, wing/tail projection, calls, and other field marks.

The next day, the detailed material of Steve's workshop was put into practice with a visit to Beatty's Hummingbird Garden in Miller Canyon. Male and female Lucifers at Beatty's were a special treat, one of thirteen species of hummingbirds sighted during the conference. Farther up Miller Canyon, we studied a peculiar Flame-colored (?) Tanager, adding another chapter to the tanager saga that has developed in the canyon recently. This tanager exhibited characteristics of a pure Flame-colored, but with hints of a hybrid, puzzling us all. It was a good lesson for us to watch birders as skilled as Steve and Jon sort through the field marks, sketch, and take field notes - and then walk away, leaving the identification undecided.

Jon Dunn presented his workshop on flycatchers in the afternoon. He led us through North America's flycatchers genus by genus, discussing finer points of identification and distribution of each species. In the evening, Michael O'Brien introduced the group to his studies of flight calls. We explored methods for the difficult process of identifying flight calls, listened to calls while analyzing spectrograms, and discussed how this technique may be used for monitoring bird populations. After Michael boosted our excitement toward the sounds of the night, we were off to Carr/Ramsey Canyons, where Whiskered and Western Screech-Owl were found.

In the morning, the group split into two vans once again for field trips to Garden/Sheelite/Sawmill Canyon or Miller Canyon. Jon and Louise led my van through Ft. Huachuca, where Botteri's and Cassin's Sparrows sang. Once we reached Garden Canyon, we visited an Elegant Trogon nest site. While we waited, Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Sulfur-bellied Flycatchers, and Hepatic Tanagers entertained us, but the trogons were nowhere to be found. The van doors had just slammed shut when a trogon was spotted. We unloaded in record time as the trogon flew down the creek. With great intensity we followed the trogons, catching fleeting glimpses, until the group of four birds settled at the base of the canyon. After we all had sufficient scope views of the trogons, it was off to the pine-oak woodlands in Sawmill Canyon. A mixed flock of warblers including Painted Redstart and Olive, Hermit, Red-faced, Black-throated Gray, and Grace's Warblers moved through the area, while a Yellow-eyed Junco and a Buff-breasted Flycatcher sang. The group's interests spread beyond the avifauna, as we enjoyed wildlife ranging from short-horned lizards and western diamondbacks to Arizona hairstreaks and blue-eyed darners.

A panel discussion and closing ceremony highlighted the last night of the conference. The panel discussion allowed us to ask questions to the leaders and advisors regarding careers in birding, colleges, volunteer opportunities, and whatever came to mind. Next up was the highly anticipated announcement of the photo quiz winners. All participants had put considerable time and thought into their responses, and did extremely well. Therefore, determining a winner came down to the fine points: correct age, sex, and plumage for the appropriate birds. Congratulations to Brendan McGarry, the eventual winner, for identifying each of the twelve photos correctly.

On the final morning the group was in a dull roar, snapping photos with their new friends and reminiscing over highlights of the conference, while van doors loomed in front of the group, awaiting loading. There was a reluctance to jump inside, as departure for the airport marked to dreaded end of the conference. Fortunately for me, I stayed a few additional days to meet with the editorial staff of A Bird's-Eye View, but I still faced the surprisingly difficult task of waving good-bye. I watched the vans pull away with a smile lighting my face, but tears welled in my eyes.

The YBC touched each one of us on a different level. For some, it was the first opportunities to spend time with other young birders or to experience the exceptional birding of this corner of Arizona. For others, it was an environment where they could express their interest in birds without feeling out of place. For me, it was my dream come true through the gracious support from ABA, Leica, and WINGS: the YBC brought together a diverse group of individuals, each with great character, all held together by a common thread: a passion for birds.

What it means to be a Young Birder at the 
ABA's Young Birders' Conference

So, you are a young birder and you want to go to the ABA Young Birders' Conference (YBC) and ABA Convention. But, your parents aren't thinking it is such a good idea. After all why should they let you have all the fun at their expense? Here are a few tips that may help your chances of getting on a plane heading toward the next YBC.

There is more to be gained by attending an ABA Convention and Young Birders' Conference than several ticks on your life list, a few good laughs, and some new facts. Attending the YBC and convention is an experience that can change many aspects of a young birder's life. The YBC is an incredible opportunity to spend time with other young birders who share your interest. Birding isn't like playing soccer, the piano, or football; young birders are few and far between. But, when you are with other young birders at the YBC, you begin to feel as though being a birder is just as accepted as playing soccer. You never have to hide your binoculars at the YBC.

The ABA's YBC and annual Convention are the perfect venue for discussing birding topics. Most birders at the convention are there because birding has had a significant impact on their life or career. These birders love to share, and there are plenty opportunities to expand birding knowledge. There are chances to talk about birding with an experienced birder on the field trips, at social hour, and the dinner table. These conversations provide young birders with ideas and aspirations for their future. It becomes clear to see how high school subjects will provide needed skills to become accomplished in these bird-related professions. For instance, after discussions with a tour leader who guides groups in foreign countries the importance of mastering a foreign language becomes apparent. The importance of good English skills to write articles, books, and grants becomes imperative. Knowing geography helps understand species distribution. Observation and drawing learned in art help capture information for field studies. Being able to see the connection between birding and school helps school classes become more meaningful.

Attending workshops, fieldtrips, and evening programs provides practical knowledge. The field trips led by experts are fun, as well as invaluable experiences. The experts are quick to point out fine points that are not easily learned from a field guide. These birders share your passion, while relating to your feelings and crazy situations. They know that any conversation can be interrupted when a bird passes overhead. Immediately silenced only to question basic or alternate plumage. (The species on the wing was, of course, known to all in the group.) Outside these circles a non-birder is questioning what did they miss or what are they doing? So in the ABA Convention/YBC environment the young birders feel like they finally belong.

Attending the ABA Convention and YBC has had many positive influences on me. I sincerely thank ABA, Leica, and WINGS, and the supporters of the ABA Youth Scholarship Fund for making it possible for me to attend the YBC and ABA Convention. Although it is still fun to add another lifer, much more is gained from listening to experienced birders - their tales, and their advice. For it is these people who have sparked and enhanced my passion for birds. One day I hope to be able to relay just this to another younger birder.

Jessie Barry is a past co-editor of the ABA's student newsletter, A Bird's-Eye View.

published in Winging It
September 2002