It depends on the context. If I'm out in the field and someone asks me that question, I would say that a good bird is a bird that is either a speciality of the area, (ie. I saw a Blue Grosbeak 50 feet south of the visitors center say at blue mounds) or if the bird is unusual for the some reason (Casual, Accidental , Rare Regular, out of season or unusual location). If I only have seen the common things I would probably say something like "Just the usual stuff" but if I don't know the person, I might follow it up with an inquiry to see if they are looking for something specific or want to know what and where those more common birds are found.
Rick Hoyme Hennepin Co >>> "Pastor Al" <[email protected]> 10/22/04 02:28PM >>> What's the first question that an incoming birder asks you as you're leaving?: "Any good birds?" How does one answer that question? "They're all good" sounds sanctimonious. Sharing your best bird from the location leaves you open to subtle scorn or a game of one-uppance (you can see it in their eyes, "is that all"?). Replying with a question may only delay the inevitable. So, this leads me to two highly philosophical questions on this rainy afternoon (while stapling membership applications together): * In your opinion, what constitutes a good bird? * How do you answer the question? Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties [email protected] (55 Bonapartes on a sewage pond were my best birds over lunch hour - but are they "good" birds?) _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list [email protected] http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net
