Update of my first post: Just a few things about me and birding

Time for an update of an original blog post. The original was dated August 1st, 2007.

Where do you live: Kingsville, Ontario, Canada

Total Years Birding: 16 years..since 1992

ABA Life List: 344 (343 of these were in Canada)

Highlights On Lifelist: In Southwestern Ontario, Canada, where I live I've had interesting species including Pyrrhuloxia, Hermit Warbler, Neotropic Cormorant, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Painted Bunting, Ivory Gull, Western Kingbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher and Ruff to name a few.

Favourite Birding Hotspot: Point Pelee National Park, Hillman Marsh and Surrounding Area

Where to Go Next: "I want to go to SE Arizona (this hopefully will be a reality next May), the Rio Grande in Texas, the Dry Tortugas, and the East Coast to name a few."

That was from the original blog post. Well I did go to the East Coast in June 2008 (New Brunswick/Nova Scotia) and picked up 11 lifers. In 2009, the next trip may be to Florida. Either April or May.

Binoculars Used: Bausch and Lomb Elites 10x42

Spotting Scope Used: Kowa Straight TSN 824M Florite Lens with a 20-60X Zoom eye peice, with a Swarovski Tripod, along with a Bushnell window mount for my car.

Favouite Field Guide: I grew up with Petersons but I also find the Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of North America and the National Geographic Field Guide just as essential, for North American birds that is.

Favourite Bird: Horned Lark

Favourite Feeder Bird I have ever had: I think having a Lapland Longspur is pretty cool, as well as Common Redpoll

Farthest I have ever travelled for a rare bird: In 2006, for a Razorbill at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada

What was my last Lifer: Spotted Towhee, Point Pelee National Park, December, 8, 2008

Favourite Birding Moment: Seeing a Neotropic Cormorant in Wheatley Ontario. This was a first for Ontario and Canada and so many birders from all over came to view it, including so many Ontario birders whom I am friends with. It was like a big family reunion!

Best Birding Bud: That's easy, my friend Jeremy Hatt. We have shared so many birding moments that I could write a book. Every time we go out birding there is something new that we discover, whether it be a bird, butterfly or blobs.

Least Favourite thing about birding: The politics of birding drive me nuts....The "who's better than who" and "this guy isn't supposed to be trusted for his sightings" etc. etc. Birding is supposed to be fun, and hearing all this bullshit puts a damper on it.

My favourite birding icon: That is a very extensive list but the number one is Roger Tory Peterson, who was the inventor of the modern field guide and has done so much in the movement of conservation. David Allen Sibley, Pete Dunne and Kenn Kaufman are a few others. There are a few local birders I hold a very high respect for, but I don't want to boost any egos. I'm sure they know who they are.