Date: 9/20/25 11:28 am From: 'Buzz' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Luck or Sheer Skill?
Yes, I agree.
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Buzz Schaumberg
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, 12:05 PM, DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> wrote:
#yiv0005747068 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Interesting topic.
Many things contribute to the finding of rare birds and I would contend those birders who consistently find them are no luckier than anybody else. What they do have going for them are a combination of the following and probably a few things I've not considered:
They are outside with their senses in the "ON" position, a lot.They visit places that historically, or by their habitat elements, have been or have the potential to be productive.They bird based on both experience and familiarity with the available, current intel. They study field marks ahead of going to the field. This involves books, on-line resources and even museums.They count every bird, which requires them to ID every individual, including the Waldo tufted duck in the middle of 200 scaup, the bronzed cowbird amid the avian mob at the feed lot.They are hooked on the endorphin that comes with discovery. Finding a "first whatever" is a physiologically euphoric and addicting experience, much more so than Merlin telling you there might be one. Lastly, I have wondered if those who regularly find rarities scan their surroundings differently than most birders. I'd like to put "Go Pro" recorders on 25 top birders, send them into the same piece of habitat and analyze their search patterns. I suspect there is a combination of not only which habitat elements are looked at but theorder in which they are checked matters. As my eyesight deteriorates, I find myself primarily "scanning" habitats with my still functional ears. I tend to consider silent birds as "not playing fair". No doubt looking, in a systematic way, AND listening is best.
Dave LeathermanFort Collins
From: 'Mark Obmascik' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2025 9:45 AM
To: <waddingtonmk...> <waddingtonmk...>; <chobbs.f1...> <chobbs.f1...>
Cc: Eric Dinkel <endinkel...>; <cobirds...> <cobirds...>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Luck or Sheer Skill?
In the Dark Ages before eBird or Merlin even existed -- last century! -- birders used to talk about the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect.
That was when one skilled birder found a good bird at a southern AZ road pulloff with a picnic table. When other skilled birders converged to see the good bird, they found other rare species in the same place.
Magic or coincidence?
Turns out the other visiting birders had the wisdom and experience to ID new species that others hadn't considered might be living there.
If you follow Norm and other primo birders, you just might see the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect in CO.
Good birding
Mark Obmascik Denver, CO
On Fri, Sep 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM, Mary Kay Waddington<waddingtonmk...> wrote:I have to admit to enjoying watching the ebird yard lists for Colorado every month. And I've thought a lot about why certain people are usually near the top of the list. To me, the most important thing is location. If your yard is a 200 acre ranch on the Southern border of Colorado you're going to see more species than someone who lives in an apartment in downtown Denver. Second, Amount of time spent birding. Someone who goes out 4 times a day to survey their property will see lots more species than the once-a-weekers. Third, Skill. That tiny glimpse of an uncommon bird, or a call -- the skilled birder has those identified in an instant. The rest of us will miss quite a few. And then pure dumb Luck is fourth on my list. But remember that Luck is comprised of location, amount of time, and skill. So if you want to see those lucky birds, go to great places, spend a lot of time doing it, hone your skills -- then that little bit of luck may find you.
Mary Kay Waddington
On Fri, Sep 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM <chobbs.f1...> wrote:
Fun question which should generate a lot of opinions! Personally, I think skill gives you the tools to find your own luck.
Chris Hobbs
<chobbs.f1...>
From:<cobirds...> <cobirds...>On Behalf Of Eric Dinkel
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2025 8:55 AM
To: <cobirds...>
Subject: [cobirds] Luck or Sheer Skill?
Hi Fellow Birders,
I don't often post, but I have been contemplating luck in birding all week.
See, earlier in the week Norm Erthal (who I have only met once and I know to be a very good birder), had two Denver county record birds on one list! It has left me endlessly pondering: what role does luck versus just plain old skill play here?
On the skill side, I know I miss birds often. For example, a few years ago, I heard and recorded a sedge wren in Denver and just stood there scratching my head wondering why this "marsh wren" sounded funny. It didn't occur to me that I was actually hearing a sedge wren until Chris Wood posted one in the exact same spot the next day. I then reviewed my audio and realized my mistake.
But on the luck side, I believe that this is Norm's 5th county record! Congratulations on the exceptional feat in a well birded county. What makes me wonder about the luck here is that no other birders had the good fortune of also finding any of those birds, even if they were there minutes later. Take the RTHU and PABU that Norm found this week. Some of Denver's best birders were on the scene very fast (maybe within the hour) and no luck all around.
So, I am curious, do people have luck rituals like some professional athletes? This is especially true in golf where players are known to pick golf balls ritualistically, etc. I am a scientist at heart, but hey, I am willing to put a rabbit's foot in my pocket to find a Painted Bunting!!
Sincerely,
Eric Dinkel
Denver County
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