Tomorrow and Sunday we have the spring bird count or it's sometimes called the breeding bird count. This count is not done in all areas and is sometimes sporadic. That is at times , there's no one interested in doing the count.
Our count area is the Red Deer River watershed so it's huge. Only a very small part of it is covered for the count. In the spring count we have all the summer birds so we see colorful warblers and many sparrows that are difficult to identify.
I moved here in 1969. I have done about 75% of counts from 1969 to 2021. For most of that time I have counted in the same area. Sometimes I've been asked to cover an area that they want someone to take a look at.
Most of the time I do the count by myself. With last year's count I found that I was not a reliable bird identifier. My cataracts have developed to a point where I have difficulty seeing color.
So last year might have been my last count. However there is a chance that with cataract surgery I many be back in business.
So if any of you ae doing the spring count, good luck.
Maybe you'll get back to it next year.
ReplyDeleteI hope so.
DeleteLove the chickadee, good luck with your spring bird count.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a happy weekend.
Many places here chickadees and other birds will come to your hand.
DeleteCataract surgery should be getting you back to the trails. It's an amazing difference in sight for me at least.
ReplyDeleteI hear good things about cataract surgery.
DeleteI hope your surgery works out as well for you as mine did for me, Red.
ReplyDeleteI hear good things about the surgery. Because of covid I did not keep my regular optometrist appointment. So I'm behind when it comes to surgery.
DeleteI hope you can have the cataract surgery, Red. When my Mom had hers several years ago, she marveled at how vibrant colors were for her after the surgery.
ReplyDeleteI hear the same comment form people I know.
DeleteI hope you get the cataract surgery and are able to participate in the bird count next year.
ReplyDeleteSurgery is slated for sometime in October.
DeleteMy mom had cataract surgery years ago and she said it made a HUGE difference. Here's hoping it does the same for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to better things!
DeleteI just returned from a 2 week overseas trip. I must tell you that every time I saw an interesting bird, I thought about you and wondered if you knew what kind of bird it was.
ReplyDeleteWell that's nice of you to think about me. Norway being coastal and mountainous has many different birds than we have so it would be nice to see them.
DeleteMy brother always takes part in the bird counts. I imagine once you get your cataracts taken care of you will be right back at it!
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to get back and do actual birding rather than just tagging along.
DeleteI'm hoping for you that cataract surgery is in your future and you'll be back to doing the bird count. It's not fun to have to let go of things we love to do.
ReplyDeleteAs we age it's not fun to let go but there are many other options to replace those we give up.
DeleteHopefully the surgery sorts it.
ReplyDeleteThe surgery has a good track record.
DeleteHave the surgery and see like a kid again. Also like a bird counter.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you've had the experience.
DeleteI don't do a count, but it seems like there are more birds than ever around our neighborhood this year. That's a good thing, right? Best of luck with the surgery. My wife had both eyes done about two years ago. She looked funny for a while with that thing over her eye, but she didn't think it was bad, and it improved her vision immensely.
ReplyDeleteThe image with the chickadee is really great! What a wonderful way to spend time.
ReplyDeleteHope you are seeing an eye doctor to set an appointment for cataract surgery! You won't regret that surgery at all!
ReplyDeleteThese sound like a lot of fun and important work. Nice to see the other birders and that chickadee photo was really something, also the nest.
ReplyDeleteI love your spring bird count photos. Take care of yourself Red. Nice to see your still blogging. Buttons
ReplyDelete