ABA Blog

ABA Convention! Corpus Christi, Texas from April 22-26, 2014

I’ve been managing ABA Events for just over a year now and the one question I am asked perhaps more than any other is: “When are we going to have another convention?” 

Now I can happily say NEXT YEAR, in 2014! The convention will be held April 22-26, in Corpus Christi, Texas! It’ll be the peak of spring migration and we have a fantastic array of speakers and leaders lined up.

 

The birds in Texas, like this Great Kiskadee, are always phenomenal

 

Our last ABA Convention was held 5 years and for those who attended ABA Conventions regularly (a few diehard members hardly missed a single one), this seems an eternity. ABA Conventions were pioneering events, and one of the key influences on today's myriad birding festivals and events. This was a model we developed quite successfully and now there are many great birding festivals all over the U.S. and Canada, and the ABA takes an active part in many of them. Now we are excited to announce this Convention in Corpus Christi; the first of what we hope represents a new generation of ABA Conventions. As we continue to evolve as an organization this event represents another landmark for the organization, as we both honor our past and look to the future of the ABA; the new ABA, if you will, now in our 46^th year. In addition to celebrating our traditions while creating new ones, we will raise money for hawk research in cooperation with HMANA (Hawk Migration Association of North America) who are celebrating their 40th anniversary. Congratulations to HMANA!

Convention Speakers:

Gerrit Vyn is a multimedia producer and staff photographer at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Recent work has found him documenting the last remaining Spoon-billed Sandpipers in the Russian Far-east, as well as wildlife poaching in China, and the breeding behavior of birds on Alaska’s Yukon Delta. Gerrit’s images appear regularly in books, magazines, websites and multimedia productions.  He was the primary image provider for the 2009 and 2011 State of the Birds reports that were delivered to the Obama administration and congress by a coalition of leading environmental organizations. He has produced two CD compilations, Voices of North American Owls and Bird Songs of the Pacific Northwest, and is an affiliate of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Gerrit will present a talk on his expedition to capture the first ever high quality media of the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Chukotka, Russia.

Brian Sullivan is project leader for eBird, and photographic editor for the Birds of North America Online at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. An expert lecturer on hawks, he is a co-author of The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors, and the forthcoming Princeton Guide to North American Birds. Brian is also co-authoring a book with George Armistead to be published by Princeton titled Essential Birding. He served as photographic editor for the ABA’s journal North American Birds from 2005-2013.

Jeffrey Kimball has made a career in film as a music supervisor/executive on films including A Bronx Tale and Good Will Hunting. But in 2012 he debuted his documentary Birder’s: The Central Park Effect. Jeff will air this film and discuss how and why he made this insightful movie about birders.

ABA Convention Staff: Jeff Gordon (ABA president), Tom Johnson (Birding photo quiz editor), Jen Brumfield (Tropical Birding Tours and Leica Birding), Jennie Duberstein (Editor of The Eyrie), and George Armistead (Events ABA Coordinator), among others.

Join your ABA event staff and fellow ABA members for a fun and educational birding extravaganza on the Gulf Coast of Texas. See what the new ABA is all about. It’ll be the peak of migration with Mississippi Kites and warblers pouring through, and of course the many South Texas specialties will be in place. If you are interested in hearing more about this convention contact Nancy Hawley at nhawley AT aba.org to register your interest. Let’s go bird Corpus, together. Registration opens July 10^th!

Albuquerque Rally Bits

I've had the honor and pleasure of leading at the recently concluded ABA Winter Birding Rally in Albuquerque this week, and thought I'd share a few personal photographic highlights.  It is really nice to see the growing lineup of upcoming ABA offerings, and even more tantalizing events were announced at the final evening's dinner so stay tuned to this blog and/or check back on the ABA Events Page frequently for the news!  I'd like to thank ABA Events Coordinator George Armistead for inviting me and also thank the crew of ABQ experts for having me along on their trips (Andy Bankert, Steve Cox, Ashli Gorbet, Michael Hilchey, and Raymond VanBuskirk.)  Thanks also to John Puschock for his leadership on the Bosque del Apache trips, and to Jennie Duberstein, Jeff & Liz Gordon, Nancy Hawley, Jane Kostenko, and Tyler Bell for completing the A+ ABA staff roster.  I feel very fortunate whenever I can be a part of such a keen crew!

The birds were great but the birders were even better- one of my favorite parts of these events is meeting folks from all corners of North America and I look forward to crossing paths again out in the field!   If you haven't yet had the pleasure of attending an ABA event I hope you'll consider giving one a try soon.

One of the three destinations in the rally's daily rotation was the world-famous Bosque del Apache NWR.

Pursuing the elusive Sage Sparrow on one of Bosque del Apache's desert trails.

No winter trip to the Bosque would be complete without a study of light geese such as this swanky Ross's Goose.

Scads of other waterfowl call Bosque's network of wetlands home for the winter including these dapper Northern Pintails.

A covey of Gambel's Quail near the Bosque del Apache Visitor Center gave crippling views in the early morning sunlight.

Neotropic Cormorants catalyzed a nice discussion on cormorant ID along the Bosque Tour Loop road.

 

This brilliant but angry-looking Pyrrhuloxia is a denizen of the Bosque Visitor Center's lovely cactus garden.

 

Our trip to Bosque del Apache didn't disappoint in the Northern Harrier department.

 

 

Another day found ABA Winter Rally birders at Albuquerque localities, including Embudito Canyon on the east side of town where we sought the elusive Crissal Thrasher.

Embudito Canyon also had its share of confiding Canyon Towhees.

Embudito Canyon offers wilderness trails and excellent birding habitat right above Albuquerque.

Curve-billed Thrashers and Cholla Cactus- a match made in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque's Valley Nature Center offers excellent riparian birding habitat along the Rio Grande River as it courses through town.

I'd say this Canada Goose has the Valley Nature Center feeder program figured out...

A Greater Roadrunner kept watch on us while visiting the Valley Nature Center.

Further downriver near Tingley Beach (yeah, that's a thing in ABQ), our group found an inert porcupine in the woods.  Discussion and debate ensued about whether it was still in the land of the living, but when it stretched and yawned the issue was settled.

The bosque at Tingley Beach hosted more nice birds in good riparian and pond habitats.

 

 

 The third trip in my rotation was up to Sandia Crest, famous for hosting all three North American Rosy-Finch species.  We were treated to all three, plus the Hepburn's subspecies of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch.  To compliment their evening Rosy-finch talk, Michael Hilchey and Raymond VanBuskirk were atop the Crest to demonstrate their research project methods and show us a few in-hand birds.

Raymond VanBuskirk with a fine Brown-capped Rosy-Finch about to be released.

Another treat high above Albuquerque on Sandia Crest was a flock of Red Crossbills tearing through Douglas Fir cones.  

On the lower flanks of Sandia Crest we saw hordes of Mountain and Western Bluebirds.  

Winter birding above 10,000 ft. involves snowy hiking!

Thanks again, everyone, for making the ABA Winter Birding Rally such a huge success!!

Young Birders Wanted! First-ever Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival Young Birder Track

From ABA Young Birder blog coordinator Jennie Duberstein, comes this announcement regarding the upcoming Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival:

--=====--

Last November I had the opportunity to co-lead field trips at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. Although I’d been to the area several times before, going as part of the festival was a completely different experience. From the impressive lineup of leaders and speakers (impressive both in terms of knowledge and experience, as well as sheer numbers) to the fantastic expo to the enthusiastic participants, not to mention the unique birds, butterflies, habitats of the region, it didn’t take long for me to realize that this is a special festival.

 One of the participants on one of the trips I led was a young birder from Delaware (read her account of her festival experience here: http://birding.typepad.com/youngbirders/2012/08/the-rio-grande-valley-birding-festival-2011.html). This young woman’s enthusiasm and interest caught the attention of everyone she interacted with, and after the festival field trip coordinator Mary Gustafson asked me if I’d be interested in helping to put together a special young birder “track” for the 2012 festival. We sat down last December and sketched out some ideas for how it could work, and the next thing I knew, the first-ever Young Birder Track at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival was on the books, co-sponsored by the ABA and Leica Sport Optics.

Cameron Cox/Leica Sport Optics

 The Young Birder Track (YBT) includes field trips, evening programs, and more, just for young birders. We will visit renowned sites such as Anzalduas County Park, South Padre Island, Estero Llano Grande State Park, and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. A rock star slate of co-leaders will join the group over the course of the four days, including ABA President Jeff Gordon, Cameron Cox and Jen Brumfield (Leica Sport Optics), Michael O’Brien and Louise Zemaitis (VENT), and Bill Thompson III (Birdwatcher’s Digest), among others. It is truly going to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

Jen Brumfield/Leica Sport Optics

 All that we need now? A few more young birders! This is where you, gentle readers, come in. We’re down to the wire. There is just one more day to register for the festival, and we still have space left in the young birder track, so we’re asking for help in spreading the word. Do you know of a young person who might be interested? Please let them know about this opportunity. Are you attending the festival yourself? Why not bring along a young birder!

Cameron Cox/Leica Sport Optics

For more information, including how to register, see details below, visit the festival website or contact Jennie Duberstein, ABA Young Birder Program Liaison. Space is limited, so register soon!

Fee $450 / Thursday 8 Nov – Sunday 11 Nov 2012 / Ages: 13-18

The American Birding Association, Leica Sport Optics, and the RGV Birding Festival have teamed up to offer a stellar opportunity for young naturalists. This first-ever Young Birder Track will be conducted in conjunction with the Festival, utilizing its resources and events, but with custom trips and programs for young birder participants. Learn about the natural history and ecology of the region, find out about careers in birding and conservation, and meet other young birders from around the country, as well as pro leaders, authors, and artists, all while seeing the Rio Grande Valley’s unparalleled birds, butterflies, habitats, and more.

 Young Birder Track participants do not need an accompanying adult in order to participate (although adults are very welcome to attend the Festival!)

Video: Richard Crossley on Making Birding Bigger in America

Two of the many things that I love about working the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival: I always get to hang out and visit with a bunch of fun, interesting birders and there are great birding opportunities very close by, so it's often possible to sneak in an hour or so of wildlife watching and photography before the exhibit hall opens. 

One morning last week I was able to combine these. A bunch of us were out looking at a fabulous pool along the Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. While we were enjoying face-meltingly good views of large waders like Roseate Spoonbills and Reddish Egrets, interspersed with American Avocets, Northern Pintails, 2 types of Mergansers, and myriad others, I fell into a conversation with Richard Crossley, author of the much-lauded Crossley ID Guide - Eastern Birds.

We were discussing how to get birding in North America over the hump that if feels like it's been stuck at for a couple of decades now. That is, how do we move from being able to bring hundreds of birders to an event like Space Coast to bringing thousands? Even more important, how do we mobilize enough birders that we become a truly effective, unified voice for birds, their habitats, and improved birding opportunities for all?

If you've met Richard, or heard him speak, you'll know that he's a man of strongly held convictions and creative ideas. He's not shy about sharing them, either. Our conversation was rolling along with such a good head of steam that I popped my camera into video mode and asked Richard to tell us how he sees birding moving to the next level of popularity and impact.

Here's what he had to say: 

 

So, what do you think? Do you agree, or do you think other strategies are more important? Was there a club (formal or not) that encouraged and nutured your interest? Or do you think that birding will (or even ought to) remain more of a niche pursuit on this continent? Does it need popularizing? How would you like to see that process proceed?

Thanks, Richard, for sharing your thoughts and for your support of the ABA. See you on down the road! 

Scenes from the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, Part 2

Harlingen, Texas, loves birders.  And from what I can gather the feeling is pretty mutual.  Birders have long known about the avian riches of what we simply call "The Valley", it's one of the few places in the ABA-area that nearly every person to pick up binoculars will tell you that you just have to visit, but it's incredibly rewarding to see a town in Harlingen that knows it too.  Harlingen has long realized its special place in the hearts of the continent's birders and, for this week in November, it rolls out the red carpet. 

The Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is exhausting.  It's also equal parts exciting and fascinating and just plain fun.  The field trips, led by capable guides and filled to the brim with enthusiastic participants, are top notch, and a lot of that has to do with that fact that the target birds in the Valley are garish and charismatic and abundant.  It's hard to stand in a group of birders who are seeing a Green Jay for the first time and not feel something move even in the most experienced birder's soul.  Even if you've seen hundreds of them, it's the completely unapologetic excitement, the sheer giddyness, that birders are able to tap into on a remarkably regular basis that resonates and sustains us. 

For most of us, that's sort of what birding is about.  It's the thing that binds us together as a group.  You may find Green Jay or feeder bound chickadee antics exciting, or you may prefer to age shorebirds by primary wear, but it's such a big part of birding to be excited about these things without any sort of self-consciousness.  Birds have a way of laying us bare, of stripping away pretense, in the most wonderfully endearing ways.  That sense of good-natured community pervades here at RGVBF from leader to speaker to attendee. 

This is my first birding festival, so this idealistic ranting may just be the product of the heady mix of hundreds of bird people joining together in celebration of a common passion.  But it seems to me that when we get together nothing but good comes of it. 

The ABA - your ABA - has sought to harness this good energy on the trade floor.  Instead of the conventional table and folding chairs, we have a lounge... of sorts.  Two sofas, comfy and inviting, where birders, members and non, can sit down and share stories, swap sightings, and just enjoy each others company.

Over the last few days a steady stream of birders, speakers, trip leaders, field guide authors, and more have stopped and visited with us and, speaking as someone who's been there for much of it, it's been a real blast to meet so many great people with whom we share this rewarding birding experience.

We've been trying to keep track of much of the steady stream of birders coming and going on our Facebook wall.  Some visitors you may recognize as movers and shakers in our community, but in most, you'll probably see yourself.  A person passionate about the birds tey've been seeing, excited to be among bird people, and looking forward to a future where the ABA can truly be a voice for birders' interests and a facilitator of that continental community for birders.  It's a future I think we all would like to see arrive.

And in a place like Harlingen, it really feels possible.  

Scenes from the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, Part 1

I rolled into the Valley Tuesday evening and things have been pretty hectic at the Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival from hour one.  Much of Wednesday was spent taking in a field trip led, in part, by ABA President Jeff Gordon at the San Gertrudis Division of King Ranch, that south Texas establishment famous not only for being an exceptional birding site, but for being exceptionally difficult to access. Fortunately for RGVBF attendees, access is not a problem. 

We cracked 100 species for the day, and best, nearly every person on the trip saw a very high percentage of our final tally including target birds like Sprague's Pipit and Burrowing Owl.  All in all, it was an exceptional day in the field, and par for the course for this amazing part of the continent. 

I can't wait to see what the next few days bring.

ABA Co-Sponsored Changing the Face of American Birding Conference to Be Streamed Live!

 

Back in early September, Dave Magpiong did an open mic post here on the Focus on Diversity: Changing the Face of American Birding Conference he's organized for this weekend in Philadelphia. I was proud to have the ABA sign on as a co-sponsor of the event as I believe that broadening the appeal of birding to include populations we haven't traditionally reached is a key to securing the future not only of birding, but even our environment.

I'm typing from just outside of Philadelphia right now, getting psyched for tonight's opening reception before the conference tomorrow.

This morning, Dave shared the exciting news that the conference will be streamed online. In other words, you can attend without leaving home. I applaud this use of technology, it's something I'm working to apply to certain ABA events, too.

You can find the live stream here. Coverage is slated to start at 8:30 AM Eastern Time tomorrow, October 22. If you can't be here in Philly with us, watch and listen from right where you are.

Congratulations, Dave. And thanks for all your dedication and hard work putting this all together! 

How We Take the ABA to the Next Level: A Card, A Shirt, and Your Ideas

Below is a picture of my ATM card. Of course, I've sloppily cloned out a bunch of numbers from the photo of it, and it's bleached and nicked from (over)use, but I still wanted you to see it. I should say right up front that this is not the card referred to in the title that I think can help the ABA and birding. That isn't a credit card or debit card at all. I'll get to that card soon.

When I moved to Colorado Springs last winter, one of the small but very real pleasures I found in the mountain of hassles that accompany moving was my discovery that my new bank wouldn't force me to carry the same old boring ATM card. Their website would let me upload my own photo to personalize it (or choose one of their many stock photos).

.

So, perhaps feeling a twinge of homesickness and certainly lacking any photos from Colorado yet, I chose this shot I took of a flock of Ruddy Turnstones feeding on horseshoe crab eggs along the shore of Delaware Bay. It's a picture that just makes me happy.

I can't tell you number of opportunities this card has provided me to talk to people about birds and birding. And the fact that I can say it's my photo really adds to the lift I get when I do so. With one simple change, my ATM card has gone from being something with which I have little personal connection to a co-branding collaboration between me and Wells Fargo. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

 

How does this relate to the ABA?

Well, one of the perennial ideas that the ABA (and many other organizations) have employed over the years is the idea of an ambassador group. In the ABA's case, what this has generally meant is that very small numbers of super-wonderful and super-dedicated volunteers have been recruited. And please please please understand that nothing I say here should be construed as criticism of those terrific folks or their tireless efforts. I am nothing but grateful to them. But I am interested in providing them (and lots of other members, I hope) with a more streamlined, elegant, effective, and fun way to promote the ABA and birding in general. To use a buzz word, something more viral.

What has often been done is that expensive, heavy boxes of expensive, heavy publications have been shipped to our ambassadors (did I say how much I appreciate the efforts of those folks? 'Cause I do!) who would then display them at a table at a local bird event or nature festival.

Now, I love birding festivals. I go to a lot of them and I've spent a lot of time in booths at them. I only want festivals to get better and better. But I have to say that from a return on investment standpoint, that old ambassador strategy seemed less than optimal when it came to getting new members. It was however, good for visibility and was often a great way to contact existing members. And we'll still do that sort of outreach, whenever we can.

Another recruitment tool is the standard membership brochure. You know, with the little, "fill it out and mail it in," membership application. We have 'em. Everybody has 'em. They're useful, too. But they also seem to me, in the age of social media, very impersonal and a bit cumbersome.

So here's what I see as an innovative and I hope, effective approach to ABA outreach. It's something I've had in mind for quite awhile and have discussed with various people, including current ABA ambassadors. But I think it's time to open it up to you. I'd ask that you look over our ideas. Tell me which ones are good and which are not. What ways would you suggest to make it better?

 

The Program

• The key is interacting with people in the field, at the eyepiece. Go where you can help people see more birds and get more out of the birds they're seeing right where they are. That could be a traditional "birding spot" or not (a city park with a duck pond would be fine, for example). Set up your scope. Hand over your binoculars. Tell the people you meet what birds are around and a quick story or a few cool things about those birds. Here's a very quick example.

ABA First Lady Liz shares her bins, and a family of Prairie Falcons, with a (former) stranger

• This program should have very little barrier to entry. If you want to do it, at most you should have to spend a few dollars, possibly splitting the cost with ABA, and that's it. You're in.

• There needs to be an easy way to track and reward your success. If you get us 1 new member, I want us to be able to know and to thank you. If you get us 10 new members, I want to really thank you. 

• I want to know what types of rewards would be meaningful to you. Free membership for yourself, a special hat or shirt, your name at the top of a new listing category? What about for the super achievers? Optics, or travel, or at least discounts thereon? A donation to a club or cause?

• We might want to come up with a name other than "ambassador." Field crew, something. I need help here.

• The ABA would produce two basic items to help you seem more "official," and maybe give you a teeny confidence boost, if you're feeling a little shy. At the most basic level, one is a card and the other is a shirt (you'll see there are some possible variations, but let's start with card and shirt).

 

The Card

• The card should be larger than a business card but still pretty small. I'm thinking it should be at least 3x5" but not more than 5x7". It ought to tuck neatly into a "little Sibley," a Kaufman guide or similar sized book. Folded over once, it should fit easily into a pocket.

• The card should clearly communicate the message, "I enjoyed meeting you and birding with you. Here's how to take some next steps and/or stay in touch."

• The card should be beautiful and eye-catching, with at least one photo or other art work. Ideally, users could upload their own photos, or choose from some great shots and art that the ABA would provide free of charge.

• The card should be thoroughly ABA-branded, with logos, contact info, etc. It might offer some sort of less expensive trial membership, or a special premium or gift for joining.

• The card should be personally branded, too, with your contact info, to the extent that you want it to be. Want more readers for your blog, more Twitter followers, Facebook friends, and so on? That should be easy. Want none of those things? That's fine, too. Use the space to put a quotation about birds or birding that you like or anything that makes the card yours. 

• The card should be environmentally friendly in its materials and production.

• The card should look professional. We shouldn't be asking you to print if off on your home printer.

• The card should have your ABA member #, or a bar code, a QR code, or something that lets us know if the person you gave it to actually joined and thus lets us thank and reward you.

• I am open to the idea of the card giving contact info for other organizations in addition to the ABA, especially local bird clubs. Even bird-related businesses aren't out of the question, but we'd very likely want the biz to contribute money or other resources to the program. It's got to be first and foremost you, the ABA member and the ABA itself, but I want the ABA to support and work well with groups that support us and our mission.

• The card, ideally, should have something useful on it. Something that would make it valuable even if they never got in touch with you or joined the ABA. The ABA Code of Birding Ethics (almost certainly in an abridged form due to space limitations) is one possibility. What else would be useful? Some very basic identification info? Birding tips? What?

• The card should also be available in an electronic version, easily e-mailed, texted, or passed using Bump or some similar app.

• Hard copies of the card should be printable in fairly small quantities, without tying up too much ABA staff time. There are many digital presses; e.g., MOO, that do this sort of thing, though I don't know of one yet that does exactly this. Do you? 

 

The Shirt

• The shirts (and hat and binocular strap) already exist in a simple, elegant form. You can get an ABA logo shirt at Shop@ABA right this minute. But I'm thinking of a special shirt (or vest, or banner, or flag). One that you wear or display only when you really want to do outreach (and one you can take off or cover up if you want some privacy for a while).

• The shirt prominently displays the ABA logo, perhaps in a slightly modified form. But there's a tropicbird in blue and green and blue, for sure. Almost certainly the words, "American Birding Association," and almost certainly our URL: aba.org

• Even more prominently, the shirt says, "ASK ME ABOUT BIRDING!!!" I think it does that with those exact words, in big big letters. Think about those old Frankie Goes To Hollywood T-shirts from the 80's:  

Frankie Says Relax T-shirt photo by Fighting with Spoons, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

OK, maybe not that exactly, but you get the idea, right?

• The major function of the shirt is to identify yourself, at some distance, as a person that wants to help others enjoy birds and birding more.

• It would be great if the shirt looked good and/or cool. But not to the extent that it obscures the basic message. "I am a birder and I am here to recruit you!" Any suggestions for how to balance wearability with impact are most welcome.

 

Your Ideas

OK, that's what I've got for right now. I'm sorry for running on so long, but as you can see, I'm trying to put a bunch of thoughts out there and see where you all take them. Now I need you to say what's right and what's wrong with these concepts. Help us come up with something really cool.

I appreciate your interest in and support of the ABA and I can't wait to have this program fully launched. With your help, it'll be a lot of fun and do a lot of good.