Bird Watchers Are Not Creepy!

The Washington Post published an article today about what people think constitutes “creepiness.”  They started the whole thing with a reference to the concept of “creep” being an evolved ability to alert us to possible (though covert) danger and a trigger to our fight or flight response.  They pointed to a study involving well over 1,000 participants.  Most of these participants were women.  I guess that was the psychologist’s latent sexism giving its nod to horror films where the girls panic and the brunette gets killed. 

Things that hit the creepiness hit parade, included those that could not be helped (being extraordinarily thin) and those that could (greasy hair).  Professions that hit the creepiness top ten included funeral director (do you know how much those guys make????), sex shop operator (duh!!!), taxidermists and taxi drivers.  But when asked about activities that made a person creepy, guess what showed up right behind hoarders?  Birding!  Since my husband is a birder, many of our friends are birders and one of my favorite summer reads The Big Year is about birding I was, frankly, shocked.  What is it that could make a birder creepy?  It turns out, it’s the binoculars. 

I offer the following in defense of birders everywhere.   

Birding in the Rio Grande Valley is a living electric light parade.  The Valley is part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail which runs along the Gulf coast from the Louisiana state line to the Mexican border.  The magic of this spectacular birding lies in that southern border.  Birds comfortable in the sub-tropical climate of Central America, don’t know a border exists along the Rio Grande River.  They cross the river at will and allow birders from across the country to see birds that don’t exist elsewhere in the United States. These birds bring both beauty and excitement to the sport of birding.

Birding, like physical exercise, is something you can engage in at a dozen different levels and all of them will be satisfying.  Whether you want to limit your birding to watching the gathering at your backyard feeder, or travel to exotic climes and heights to find birds seldom seen by others, there is no question that the experience is a pure joy from start to finish.  

            When it comes to a love for birding, I was a hard sell.  My first bird walk was like a miserable blind date.  The, “walk” turned into a, “stand.”  I hopelessly craned my neck, trying to find a single stinking bird in a maze of tree limbs and foliage, while the others in the group argued endlessly about whether the bird in question had a black eye stripe or a yellow rump patch. I ended up feeling about birding what Mark Twain felt about golf, that it was, “…a good walk, ruined.” 

            Then, two things happened that brought me back.  First, I went to a lecture by Robert T. Bakker.  He walked me through the physiological markers showing that dinosaurs were warm blooded and very likely the ancestors of birds.  Birds didn’t seem so, “wishy-washy” any more.  I started observing their behavior and discovered that even the smallest birds have an attitude and personalities.

Second, I met a whole new set of birders.  There is something about the Rio Grande Valley that brings out the best in birders at the same time it draws the best in birds.  I have met dozens of people here, serious and casual birders, who want nothing more than to share their passion.  

Here in the Rio Grande Valley there are beautiful birds, generous birders and some good barbeque when the day is done.

Start a life-list and keep the faith.