T The Birding Co-op
Home
Start Here
๐Ÿ”Ž Explore the Co-op ๐Ÿ‘‹ Introductions ๐Ÿ“ฑ Social Handles
Activities
๐Ÿ’ป Hangouts ๐Ÿ‘ Birder Cafรฉ ๐ŸŽค Member Presentations ๐Ÿฆ† More Activities
Community
๐Ÿ’ฌ General Discussion โœˆ๏ธ Travel Accessibility ๐Ÿ’ก Big Ideas ๐Ÿ‘ฅ Member Updates
Partners
๐Ÿ”ถ Icaro Birding ๐Ÿ”ถ Uganda Women Birders
Links
Google Calendar
       Log in   Sign up
    • Log in
    • Sign up
    Home
    Start Here
    ๐Ÿ”Ž Explore the Co-op ๐Ÿ‘‹ Introductions ๐Ÿ“ฑ Social Handles
    Activities
    ๐Ÿ’ป Hangouts ๐Ÿ‘ Birder Cafรฉ ๐ŸŽค Member Presentations ๐Ÿฆ† More Activities
    Community
    ๐Ÿ’ฌ General Discussion โœˆ๏ธ Travel Accessibility ๐Ÿ’ก Big Ideas ๐Ÿ‘ฅ Member Updates
    Partners
    ๐Ÿ”ถ Icaro Birding ๐Ÿ”ถ Uganda Women Birders
    Links
    Google Calendar

    Home

    Latest
    • Latest

      Show the newest posts first
    • New activity

      Show posts with latest comments first
    • Oldest

      Show the oldest posts first
    • Popular

      Show the most engaging posts first
    • Likes

      Show posts with most likes first
    admin

    Mollee Brown

    Joined Jul 9, 2020
    Marketing Consultant, Bird Nerd, Aspiring Minimalist
    West Virginia, USA
    Mollee Brown
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    Statement from The Birding Co-op

    The Birding Co-op's mission is to promote inclusivity in the global birding community by, among other things, advocating for social justice. Our organization focuses on positive interactions to support our membership and uplift the birding community as a whole. However, we cannot ignore the serious wrongdoings that happen every day to birders and humans all over the planetโ€”most often to women and members of the BIPOC and LGBQT+ communities.

    The Birding Co-op supports Aisha White and her brave decision to come forward with allegations of rape against Jason Ward. We will continue to fight for equality, to promote that nature is something that all should be able to enjoy, and will never tolerate any form of abuse, harassment, or conduct that does not align with our values.ย 

    We will also continue to strive to make the Co-op a safe space for birders to share their stories and feel welcome to be here.ย 

    We will continue our regular activities starting tomorrow, Thursday, February 18th, with our 9 AM ET Birder Hangout. There will be no member presentations this week. We are working on providing more structured support in the coming days and weeks in light of the feelings of shock and betrayal that many of our members have expressed. As always, we believe in open discussion and providing a platform for our members to virtually gather and share their thoughts and ideas with one another. If you would like to suggest ways our organization can do this, please don't hesitate to let us know.
    Liked by Alena and 1 other
    Like Comment
    0 comments
    admin

    Mollee Brown

    Joined Jul 9, 2020
    Marketing Consultant, Bird Nerd, Aspiring Minimalist
    West Virginia, USA
    Mollee Brown
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    Statement from The Birding Co-op

    The Birding Co-op's mission is to promote inclusivity in the global birding community by, among other things, advocating for social justice. Our organization focuses on positive interactions to support our membership and uplift the birding community as a whole. However, we cannot ignore the serious wrongdoings that happen every day to birders and humans all over the planetโ€”most often to women and members of the BIPOC and LGBQT+ communities.

    The Birding Co-op supports Aisha White and her brave decision to come forward with allegations of rape against Jason Ward. We will continue to fight for equality, to promote that nature is something that all should be able to enjoy, and will never tolerate any form of abuse, harassment, or conduct that does not align with our values.ย 

    We will also continue to strive to make the Co-op a safe space for birders to share their stories and feel welcome to be here.ย 

    We will continue our regular activities starting tomorrow, Thursday, February 18th, with our 9 AM ET Birder Hangout. There will be no member presentations this week. We are working on providing more structured support in the coming days and weeks in light of the feelings of shock and betrayal that many of our members have expressed. As always, we believe in open discussion and providing a platform for our members to virtually gather and share their thoughts and ideas with one another. If you would like to suggest ways our organization can do this, please don't hesitate to let us know.
    Liked by Lisa and 3 others
    Like Comment
    0 comments
    admin

    Mollee Brown

    Joined Jul 9, 2020
    Marketing Consultant, Bird Nerd, Aspiring Minimalist
    West Virginia, USA
    Mollee Brown
    Posted in Member Updates

    Spotlight on Alen ๐Ÿ™Œ Birders of Israel + Live Webinar this Sunday

    I want to share the fascinating research and upcoming live webinar by the Co-op's own Alena Kacal !

    First, here is a newly translated lecture on Israeli birders by Alen on Birdlife Israel's site:ย 

    Behind the Binoculars: Who are the Birders of Israel?


    https://www.birds.org.il/en/article/alena-kacal-behind-the-binoculars-january-2021

    Alen, this data reveals so much. Incredible.

    Second, here is information on a live webinar that is this Sunday by Alen and others at Jerusalem Bird Observatory:ย 

    Wake Up to a Live Birding Adventure From Israel - Special Tu B'Shvat Live Bird Banding


    A special webinar to mark Tu B'Shvat - the Jewish Calendar's Birthday of the Trees.

    Sunday, January 31, 2021
    8:00 โ€“ 9:30 EST // 15:00 โ€“ 16:30 Israel time

    Alena Kacal , Amir Balaban and the staff at the Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory, together with birders from Birdlife Israel, will be broadcasting live from the field and will be answering your questions about Israel's birds. Hopefully we'll also be treated to the almonds in blossom too.

    This webinar is in partnership with Temple Emanu-El and proudly part of the Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest. Rabbi Amy Ehrlich, Temple Emanu-El, New York will give an opening greeting.

    Join the webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ivoo4XhhQhK3cWTMzciDfw

    Note: Cover image for this post from Birdlife Israel.ย 

    Alena Kacal

    Joined Aug 23, 2020
    Director - Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory
    Jerusalem , Israel
    Liked by Lisa and 2 others
    Like Comment
    0 comments

    Eric Jay Spink

    Joined Oct 17, 2020
    Enthusiastic novice Birder and Photographer
    Salida, Colorado USA
    Eric Jay Spink
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    Lego + Birds = Cool

    Why is this the first Iโ€™ve seen of this? ย Looks like a fun winter project when the weather wonโ€™t cooperate. ย 
    Liked by Ronan and 2 others
    Like Comment
    5 comments
    admin

    Mollee Brown

    Joined Jul 9, 2020
    Marketing Consultant, Bird Nerd, Aspiring Minimalist
    West Virginia, USA
    Mollee Brown
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    This Week in the Co-op

    We have a lot going on this weekโ€”something for all birders!

    Tuesday Hangout

    Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8:00 PM ET, weโ€™re starting our weekly Birder Hangout with a presentation by Diego Quesada of Caracara Costa Rica, an organization that promotes Neotropical bird conservation through art. Hangout details here.ย 

    Wednesday Cafe

    Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET, our monthly Birder Cafe is focusing on what Co-op travel should look like in 2021, and weโ€™ll have several bird guides share their thoughts as we work together to plan the Co-opโ€™s events. Hannah Buschert is heading this upโ€”check out here posts here and here.ย 

    Thursday Hangout

    And Thursday at 9:00 AM ET (note the time change!), weโ€™ll recap the Cafe in our second weekly Birder Hangout. Hangout details here.ย 

    If you haven't already, join the Co-op to experience this weekโ€™s virtual events!

    Diego Quesada

    Joined Oct 15, 2020
    Birding Guide - Nature Lover
    Heredia, Costa Rica
    admin

    Hannah Buschert

    Joined Jul 24, 2020
    Podcaster / Guide / Tourism
    Cannon Beach, Oregon
    0
    Like Comment
    0 comments
    admin

    Mollee Brown

    Joined Jul 9, 2020
    Marketing Consultant, Bird Nerd, Aspiring Minimalist
    West Virginia, USA
    Mollee Brown
    Posted in Member Updates

    This is a Co-op, after all!

    This is a space to share updates for yourself or other Co-op members! Share what projects you're working on, organizations you are a part of, or any news that you'd like to share with the Co-op.ย 
    Liked by Birding and 2 others
    Like Comment
    3 comments
    admin

    Mollee Brown

    Joined Jul 9, 2020
    Marketing Consultant, Bird Nerd, Aspiring Minimalist
    West Virginia, USA
    Mollee Brown
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    New Year Birding with the Co-op!

    Weโ€™re kicking off the Co-opโ€™s Big Year with a Virtual Big Year Bird Walk! Share your January 1, 2021 checklists on eBird with @thebirdingcoop, or email checklists to thebirdingcoop@gmail.com.

    And don't forget to tag @thebirdingcoop on your social stories and posts on New Years Day!

    Liked by Cliff and 3 others
    Like Comment
    5 comments
    admin

    Mollee Brown

    Joined Jul 9, 2020
    Marketing Consultant, Bird Nerd, Aspiring Minimalist
    West Virginia, USA
    Mollee Brown
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    Gifts for birders?

    What are your favorite gifts to get or receive as a birder?ย 


    Here are four things I love and would suggest for others, too!

    1. Timolino mug


    This mug rarely leaves my side. Well, I forgot my first one on a plane and the second one in a rental car, but I've now bought the exact same thing three times because it's that great. I love it especially for birding because:
    • Yes, it keeps drinks insanely hot
    • It's indestructible... even if it gets a few dents in it, it's totally fine
    • It never ever spills
    • It's really narrow, so it can fit in a pocket easily
    Link: https://www.timolino.com/product/biner-vacuum-mug/

    2. My phone case

    I have one of those wallet phone cases, and it's so awesome to have while I'm running around birding. I usually keep a two credit cards, my license, a business card, and a couple dollars in it. I know I'm going to have my phone with me while I'm birding (and like, always), so having this case on it means that I don't have to keep track of the rest of my things separately. In the few times I've been in locations where I'm more likely to get mugged, I still use it, but keep only a little cash in it. Still super convenient. And lastly, it's easy to snap off if I want to use a digiscoping case for a few.
    No link to this one, but it was just a cheap one from Amazon. You can get similar ones just about anywhere.

    3. Peak Design camera clip

    I just started using this a few weeks ago, and omg, how did I live without it? I now clip my camera on my hip rather than deal with it and my binoculars on straps. It is sooo convenient, easy and quick to use, out of the way and not swinging around, and over long periods of time or hiking, it's so much nicer to have less weight on my shoulders. It's awesome! I plan on getting a hand strap to replace the long one on my camera, because I'm never going back to the way I used to carry it. And for now, I'm keeping the clip on my recycled Patagonia hip pack, which I also clip my dog's leash on when he's with me.
    I'm using the old version of the clip, which you could probably get on eBay for cheap, but here's the new (and very similar) one: https://www.peakdesign.com/collections/clips

    4. Athleta leggings
    Unless I'm in a super hot and humid location, I'm probably wearing leggings while I'm birding. And when I cleaned out my closet to a minimal amount of clothing this year, I wanted to find the perfect leggings for me. Athleta ended up being my choice. First off, they are a B-corp, and have lines of recycled clothes. And their clothes seem to last forever. I have two pairs of the same leggings in black and gray (I'm wearing the gray ones in the photo in #3), and they're the only leggings I have. They have huge, very stretchy pockets that are excellent at holding things of all sizes without a risk of them falling out... even my mug. And they are very moisture-wicking and hold up for a long time between washes. Overall, they're just so versatile and functional, and totally worth the investment for them.
    Link to the pair I have: https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=599749002

    Those items may not specifically be for birders, but I find them all to be wonderful assets while I'm birding!

    What products to you love to have/use? If you have suggestions for good gifts for birders, let's hear them!ย 
    Liked by Brendan 1
    Like Comment
    0 comments
    admin

    Joshua Wade Covill

    Joined Jul 24, 2020
    Bird Guide / Photographer / Science nerd
    Columbia Falls, MT
    Joshua Wade Covill
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    RECAP: Birding El Salvador and the art of snail maintenance - Nov. 10th

    First off, last night's hangout was the first time I laughed so hard I was crying since the beginning of the pandemic. So thank you all for that. It was much needed!

    Birding in El Salvador with Benjamin Rivera kicked off the hangout with a STUNNING presentation covering the history, cities, locations, and of course birds that you can see on your trip to El Salvador. One of the best parts was Benjamin's devotion to his fellow bird guides, and seeing that they receive the recognition that they deserve; many of them being ex-guerilla fighters! His passion for El Salvador and his fight to bring sustainable ecotourism to the communities there is truly something special.
    Watch the 30-something minute presentation here! https://thebirdingcoop.circle.so/c/topics-for-talks/birding-in-el-salvador-with-benjamin-rivera-full-video
    At Benjamin's request, let's all spread the word of birding tourism in El Salvador!

    After a great presentation, conversation flowed quickly, and we congratulated Andrew Guttenberg on his 250th Montana bird that he's digibinned this year! Check out his masterful collection on instagram @digibinbigyear2020 or click here: https://www.instagram.com/digibinbigyear2020/
    [Digibinning is the practice of using your phone to photograph birds through your binoculars. It's difficult to master, especially in-flight shots, which is what makes Andrew's accomplishment all the more impressive!]

    Naturally, this led to Gautam Apte's instagram account @lumix_grain where he posts impressively grainy flight shots of birds taken with his Lumix camera. If you're a connoisseur of course photography, I'm sure you'll get a kick out of his work!
    https://www.instagram.com/lumix_grain/
    If anyone knows Gautam, try to convince him to join the Co-op so he can tell us more about his Journey of the GRร„IN next Tuesday!

    This started the sharing of other bird photos exhibiting exceptional grain and genius-level record shots of distant birds and hilarious back-of-camera photos. Some of my favorites were shots of birds that seemed to have the quality of 1950's era film combined with an instagram filter!

    Not gonna lie, this might sounds silly to you, but to repeat a phrase as old as time.. you had to be there!

    After we settled down, and I wiped the tears of laughter out of my eyes, Stephanie shared the results of her Birding to end Alzheimers Big Day!
    Her team, Bluewings ALZ In!, shattered their fundraising goal and ended the day with 74 species of birds!
    Check out their success here: Bluewings ALZ In!
    Stephanie, you're an inspiration to all of us!

    Australia just got 2 new species of mammals!ย  A new study finds that a complex of Gliders is actually multiple species, but that's not the best part of the story. THEY LOOK RIDICULOUS!
    Like a hand-made movie prop from a 1980's horror film, they look like a Furby and an Opossum had an unholy love child!
    Check out the little monsters here

    Forest Jarvis brought up a good point about Sugar Gliders; NEVER have one as a pet! They will climb your walls and pee all inside your sweater. Don't do it.
    Also, there are a few moral and ethical reasons to not own one; inhumane breeding farms, illegal pet trade, etc
    Sugar Gliders, not even once!

    You know what animal DOES make a great pet??
    Yep, you guessed it! A snail! A White-lipped Snail (Neohelix albolabris) to be exact!
    Doug Whitman was fortunate one day 2 years ago when he discovered that a snail had hitched a ride in his tent from a camping trip. Now, back in the city, Doug couldn't just put the thing outside away from its native ecosystem! And thus, a friendship was born!

    Doug told us all the crazy story of throwing Miguel (the Snail) a birthday party on the one year anniversary of adopting him. Around 100 people showed up for a truly epic party, all in honor of Miguel the Snail!
    Ironic, as Miguel is arguable totally unaware of the world around him and perhaps doesn't even know Doug exists. It's hard to discern what's going on in a snail's mind.

    Doug took a summer job out in Montana, and of course brought Miguel. That's when I had the pleasure to meet the famous mollusk. After the field season ended, Doug and Rachel took a road trip through the American West, and everywhere they went, so did Miguel! They took photos of him at every National Park entrance sign, and that sparked the idea for a children's book about Miguel the traveling snail!
    That was unanimously voted a brilliant idea, and we all tossed in ideas for the book.
    Someone asked if, in the book, Miguel would come face to face with a Snail Kite. Shocked by the question, it was decided they would be friends in this children's book.
    That was until Phil Chaon added "..and Everglades will be Miguel's last National Park."
    I couldn't even hear the shocked gasps from others as I nearly spit out my drink laughing so hard!

    We put Doug on the spot to tell his Miguel stories for more than half an hour, and I can't thank him enough! It was an amazing time!

    Some related snail media for you all to look into
    The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating; book by Elisabeth Bailey
    Malacology; podcast episode of Ologies on Snails and Slugs

    We discussed bird sounds in the background of movies, and applauded the few movies who got it right!
    The Spectacled Owl in the 1987 Predator movie made Andrew Guttenberg happy, while the Melodious Blackbirds and Cabanis's Wrens in the background of the Jurassic Park movies made Benjamin and I proud.
    The blackbirds were in the newest movie, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

    We went over the different birder-centric movies we know of, all agreeing that even though The Big Year was fairly accurate and plausibly funny, it could have been much better.
    I recommended The Bird Men (or 'The Birder' depending on your country), an fairly funny movie about a birder in Canada. It's worth a watch!

    That lead us to wonder if we could write the first truly excellent birder film?!?ย 

    What are your ideas for a birder/birding movie?

    Thanks again to everyone who joined for an epic hangout!

    I hope to see all of you again next week!
    And if you aren't a Co-op member yet, please consider joining!

    Birding in El Salvador with Benjamin Rivera

    Joined Sep 9, 2020
    Birding Tour Guide
    San Salvador, El Salvador, Central Amรฉrica

    Andrew Guttenberg

    Joined Jul 24, 2020
    Bird Artist, County Lister, Admirer of Hummingbirds
    Bozeman, MT

    Stephanie

    Joined Sep 1, 2020
    Birder, Butterflier, National Butterfly Center
    Mission , TX

    Forest Jarvis

    Joined Aug 26, 2020
    Researcher, Birder, Moth Enthusiast
    Washington, DC

    Doug Whitman

    Joined Sep 1, 2020
    Traveling Field Tech
    Columbus, OH

    Phil Chaon

    Joined Sep 1, 2020
    Guide, Biologist, Author
    Albuquerque, NM
    Liked by Forest and 5 others
    Like Comment
    3 comments
    admin

    Joshua Wade Covill

    Joined Jul 24, 2020
    Bird Guide / Photographer / Science nerd
    Columbia Falls, MT
    Joshua Wade Covill
    Posted in Explore the Co-op

    Celebratory Saturday night hangout recap!

    If you want to be a part of the next hangout, consider joining the Co-op!

    Thank you to everyone who joined for an engaging and fun chat Saturday!
    ๐ŸปWe cheers'd our drinks to the President and Vice President Elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, which was just announced that morning. We welcomed new Co-op members and were joined by a non-member (who I'm hoping with join now!)

    The hangout was a solid 2 hours and 20(or more) minutes and we talked about a lot of good topics.

    Of course we talked about the election and its results, and moved to COVID around the world and in the States. COVID seems to be such a prominent part of all our lives that a chat longer than 15 minutes can hardly avoid the topic.

    Birding in Texas was a big theme, as 3 (maybe 4?) folks from Texas joined the hangout! We talked about the different birding hotspots along the coast and in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRG).
    Check out South Texas portion of the Great Texas Birding Trail here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-trails/ltc
    A female Blue Bunting was recently found on South Padre Island by a Co-op member! Great find!

    Stephanie updated us on the progress of the border wall construction, and we all hoped that the new administration could do something about it... fingers crossed.

    For some reason, close encounters with large and dangerous mammals seems to be a favorite topic! We told more bear stories, including enough good bear stories to equal out the crazy ones. Which reminded my that one of my photos went viral after I posted it to my facebook a couple years ago. https://www.ktvh.com/news/2019/07/01/photographer-captures-hikers-close-encounter-with-grizzly-bear-in-glacier-national-park
    Alberto told us a hair-raising story about one night where they smelled a Jaguar in the Yucatan, but never saw it. Super sketch!

    Which got us on the topic of birding Mexico and mexican endemics (of which there is somewhere over 110 or something!)
    Some of the cooler mexican species we talked about:
    Slaty Vireo https://ebird.org/species/slavir1/
    Red Warbler https://ebird.org/species/redwar1/
    Balsas Screech-Owl https://ebird.org/species/basowl/
    Sierra Madre Sparrow https://ebird.org/species/simspa1/
    Tufted Jay https://ebird.org/species/tufjay1/
    Rose-bellied Bunting https://ebird.org/species/robbun1/

    I have to say, after talking with Alberto, I am even more convinced my next trip will have to be to southern Mexico!

    The Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival is coming up at the end of this week (Nov 11-13, 2020) and will be all virtual and totally free! Keep an eye on https://www.rgvbf.org/ for updates and how to attend the virtual field trips and lectures.

    Have you traveled somewhere awesome before you were interested in birds? A lot of us have, and we formed an impromptu support group as everyone shared stories of where they went before getting hit with the birding bug. Do you count the birds you can remember or have photos of?

    And lastly, here are two WACKY bird sounds that I had to show everyone.
    The Highland Guan follows its rising whistle with an absolutely out of the world mechanical chatter made by its wing feathers as it glides from a tall tree in the cloud forest.
    https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/177581

    The Giant Wren is (mostly) endemic to southern Mexico and shares the title of world's largest wren species. It's group calls sound like hyper cartoon characters that came to life!ย 
    https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/48249351

    See you all this Tuesday for the next Birder Hangout!

    Stephanie

    Joined Sep 1, 2020
    Birder, Butterflier, National Butterfly Center
    Mission , TX
    Liked by Forest 1
    Like Comment
    0 comments
    Icons/loader