“You and your friends dare not move.  You have trained for this moment.  You really hope you are well enough hidden by the camouflage hide that you built together the day before. There is a slight movement in the trees to the right.  You use the hand signals to silently alert the others.  You start to aim, slowly and carefully just like in the practices.  Trying to keep a steady hand.  Any sudden movement and all could be lost.  There!  Directly in your line of sight now.  Quick, remember not to let the excitement cause a mistake at this critical moment.  Breathe.  Aim.  Press the trigger. Yes!  This could be your new record!  The bird flies out of view.

You and your friends look at each other.  You all smile, you know it was the species you needed for your list without even having to check the guide again.  Last night you all studied the guide carefully so you would be ready to rapidly identify.  You all crowd around the camera and see you were right – the markings are correct and there is no doubt.  Your team leader enters the sighting into the team’s device and submits to the national center.  High fives all around.  Chug some water.

Then drop back silently into the camouflage hide to see what else you can capture before snack time.  You listen to the sounds in the woods and watch the movements and shapes of the wild surrounding you.  You realize how the bird you just saw in that morning light was much more beautiful than you ever imagined from looking at the books and photos. This is real, not media, and it feels good. ”

Saturday July 13, 2019 from 9am-10am.  Come to an informational meeting for a Bucks County Audubon young birders’ club planned to start this Fall.  Child care provided and a few snacks.  For those interested in getting up a little earlier, join us to for a short bird walk at 8am that morning before the meeting.  Open for kids ages 6 and up.