First I appreciate the compliments. I was so surprised to see the bunting.
I saw a flash of red low in the willows. In Colorado, this always gets ones
attention. It stopped right in front of me for no more than 30 seconds. The
combination of red and blue was shocking. It then moved away still buried
deep in the willows. I was really hoping others would get to see this
wonder. Cathy is completely right in that one should look at every bird
even though it can be frustrating. I admit that I can be guilty of this at
times. Her other comments are spot on. There is no doubt luck plays a part.
We have all walked by good birds that just don't ahow themselves that
others are able to spot. Joe Roller quouted Louis Pasteur when I found a
Hooded Oriole years ago west of Cortez. "Fortune favors the prepared mind."
As David said there are so many factors. The more time in the field and
gaining experience is invaluable. One other comment I will make is for
those who "bird" with only or primarily a camera are not easily able to
obtain the experience and skill one gets by following a bird as it moves.
When there is a large group of birds in a tree that are moving quickly, you
are not able to get on and see very many birds in a mixed flock or even
study field marks. This would be especially true for fall warblers The time
spent trying to get a killer photo drastically reduces the chances of
finding other species. Another thing is don't trust Merlin when it
identifies a species by sound. Look for and SEE the bird. Merlin is a great
tool but the creators readily admit it is nowhere near infallible. A person
on a trip with me to Australia 20 years ago readily admitted he missed many
species because he spent most of the time photographing.
Good birding
Norm Erthal
Arvada
On Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 1:35:28 PM UTC-6 Cathy Sheeter wrote:
>
> Having the good fortune to spend a season intently birding with a birder
> who seemed to have the Midas touch of finding rarities and state records
> (Steve Mlodinow), I would add the following qualities as traits that
> increase the odds for these birders. Hopefully Steve won’t mind my analysis
> ☺️
>
> 1. They are good ear birders. Often the presence of something unexpected
> is hearing a call or even a chip note that is unfamiliar or out of place.
> More than once, Steve recognized the vocalizations of birds he knew were
> rare in Colorado and we would then go visually find them. We were able to
> track down some good rarities based on his keen ears and knowledge of bird
> vocalizations.
>
> 2. They dedicate a significant amount of time to birding. As mentioned,
> someone spending an hour a week has a much lower chance of finding rarities
> than someone dedicating 20+ hours a week, or even more. Time = better
> results, without a doubt!
>
> 3. They bird a variety of habitats and locations, including many off the
> beaten path. While popular places, of course, often turn up results, the
> small pond or thicket of willows, the cemetery, and the dump also turn up
> rarities.
>
> 4. They pay attention to migration patterns and how weather and time of
> day affect birds. They are out early and late, out after a storm, watch
> wind directions, know when different species are on the move, etc.
>
> 5) They study nuances and really look at each bird. They don’t assume the
> flock of dark Ibis are all White-faced, but carefully study every bird for
> subtle traits that might help pull out a Glossy. They don’t assume the
> yellowish bellied flycatcher is a Western, but carefully study if it could
> be a Yellow-bellied.
>
> 6) They have decent equipment and will take time to use it. Steve always
> had both a scope and binoculars, and usually a camera with him in his car,
> and didn’t mind hiking with his scope if he thought it would be needed, and
> would easily spend 20-30 minutes scanning and counting a reservoir bird by
> bird. Careful and methodical birding likely turns up more rarities than
> casual or rushed birding.
>
> 7) Steve is an amazing “pisher”. I can pish and get a couple song sparrows
> to pop up. He would do it and sometimes have thirty birds appear in
> moments. Juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, kinglets, towhees, thrushes,
> woodpeckers, warblers and more! He pishes regularly as he is walking and
> stops often to scan. Some may find it annoying, but it worked.
> Of course some aspect of luck is involved, but I would say it is maybe 10%
> luck and 90% effort and all the other things people have mentioned.
>
> Fun discussion topic!
>
> Cathy Sheeter
> Arapahoe County
>
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