Welcome to the Birding Community—You Belong Here, Too
by Bernie Wilson, Bird Photographer and In Color Birding Board Member
I am a retired English Professor and have always loved photography. I accidentally came to the world of intentional birding as I endeavored to learn new equipment purchased for a road trip. Many years and thousands of hours later, I continue to hone my skill and also my knowledge of the birds I record.
What began almost by coincidence is now a major element of my daily life. I have learned the names of most of the birds in our area and we have traveled fairly extensively in search of birds in other places, domestic and foreign.
As a person of color, it did not escape my attention, early on, I saw few others who looked like me, but that did not deter me. The joy, peace and sense of connection I feel with the natural world buoyed my spirit, lifted my mood and lowered my stress levels immensely. To become a “birder,” all that is needed is the desire to spend time looking for or at birds. As the species are ubiquitous, this activity can be done anywhere and everywhere, anytime of year, and can be done by anyone who has a desire.
Thankfully, today, there are more people from otherwise marginal communities that are embracing our beloved pastime. This is true in our region and is being replicated across our vast country.
In time, I became a board member of a group dedicated to increasing access to outdoor spaces for people of color and their allies: In Color Birding Club. One of the most powerful elements of our mission statement is to creation a safe, like-minded community. On any of our walks, we see people from disparate cultures, ages, social, and economic backgrounds. All those factors melt away and reveal a shared love of birds, learning and an appreciation for the benefits of being out in nature. Surely, this is an example of how when faced with a common benefit, humans can create binding connections to each other, despite the obvious differences. The most impactful effect of such modeling is what it can do to the mindset of the younger participants. Not only does participating in this community give them a more positive impression of the ability of adults to navigate differences, it fosters, in their impressionable minds, a greater appreciation for the value and importance of the natural world and a greater comfort in interacting with members of other communities. Hopefully, they also gain a vision of how they can evolve to become better citizens as well as more engaged stewards of the environment.
Our region is filled with green spaces from pocket parks to forests; backyards to arboretum; parks to fantastic wildlife preserves. Birds can be found in so many convenient locations, it is easy to find them almost everywhere. The varieties of birds that both reside here and migrate through keep birders alert and on the hunt for something special. I often tell folks who ask about how to get started birding, “look no farther than your own backyard”! And as you do, be mindful you are a member of a growing community of people focused on gainfully engaging with the beauty and mystery that reside in the physical world all around us! Welcome to the club!
Cover Photo: Bernie Wilson