A flock of Cedar Waxwings had just flown into a tree. I was pointing them out to my group, when a hunting Cooper’s Hawk flew at the songbirds. They exploded out of the tree, with the hawk in pursuit. That is the kind of exciting event that you can show to new birders, when you lead a bird walk.
Birding walk leaders are to be celebrated for their volunteerism. I have benefitted from going on bird walks with knowledgeable people, whether from my bird club in Toronto or when I’m travelling. I have gone on walks in western Canada, as well as Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida in the US. The leaders showed me and identified great birds, talked about the local habitats, and told me where I could find target birds. They were fun, enthusiastic people, who encouraged me to try leading bird walks in Toronto.
I led my first walk about 10 years ago, for my club in Toronto. I started in a park in the west end of the city. After a couple of years of leading a walk there, I asked the walks coordinator if I could lead a walk closer to my home. He agreed and I started a bird walk in my local patch, which was the first one the club offered in the north part of the city.
Leading a walk in your local patch, especially during spring migration, allows you to share all your favourite spots with others. My walks attract new club members and people new to birding. I enjoy sharing tips on identifying birds. I try to tell my group little bits of information on each bird we see. Nothing is better than helping someone see a bird and hearing their excitement when they have a good look at it.
More and more groups are looking for people to lead bird walks. During the pandemic, people ventured outdoors and they were curious about the natural world around them. They bought binoculars and downloaded the Merlin app, but they still didn’t know how to really use them to get the most out of their birding experience.
I encourage veteran birders to share their knowledge and love of birds. You’ll find you have people returning for your walks, because you got them a lifer, or they just had fun being out with you. At the end of the day, it is very nice to be thanked for guiding a walk and to be applauded.
Note: Picture at the top of the article is by Dara Miles Wilson, posted to Wikipedia Commons, an online source of copyright-free photos.
Leave a Comment