Many people set aside some time at the beginning of each new year to be reflective and perhaps even write down a list of specific goals. Maybe you have a bucket list of new things you would like to do in the coming year.
As we go through the different stages of our lives, our hobbies, interests, and activities change. I have found that the typical bird watcher is likely to be a retiree, with disposable time and disposable income. Retirement is the time in life when many individuals begin to explore new hobbies and interests.
For many, getting outdoors and creating a stronger connection to nature starts with a little trepidation, but often, over time, that interest becomes more than a casual interest, it becomes a lifestyle.
Bird watching is one of those hobbies people frequently grow into. The hobby of backyard bird feeding, and bird watching typically does not begin when a person is young. Most people in their 30’s and 40’s are busy raising their families, or working a ridiculous number of hours.
However, when a person reaches retirement age, he or she gradually has more leisure time and more discretionary income. It is not unusual for a person at this stage in life to start noticing the birds in one’s yard, even though they were always there. Nature in general, and birds specifically, just wasn’t on the radar screen when they were busy with the demands of life.
A decade ago we started offering free weekly guided bird walks. This simple offering has been embraced by the community and has been life-changing for individuals who have participated in these bird walks. Finding nature has literally created a sense of renewal for people who were trying to find themselves.
After moving to our new store location last year, we decided to expand on our free weekly bird walks. In the new year we will also be offering free once-a-month workshops on a variety of wild bird and nature related topics, in our lovely conference room, where we can accommodate over 40 participants!
Last week, my store manager Ryan, taught a class on raptor identification. In February I will be teaching a class on shorebird identification and in March I will be teaching a class on birds of the Sonoran Desert. For more information on our bird walks and educational classes, visit our new website at www.thelookoutaz.com.
We have also made the decision to offer longer, full-day, fee-based bird walks on a monthly basis, to destinations beyond the Prescott area. Last week, following the raptor identification class, we sponsored a full-day raptor bird walk. In February we will be taking a group of birders down to the Gilbert Water Ranch, and in March I will be leading a guided field trip to Date Creek Ranch.
If you are thinking about possibly getting into the hobby of bird watching I invite you to join us for one of our walks. No prior birding experience is necessary, and if you don’t own a pair of binoculars, we have loaners that you can use. Participation is limited to 12 individuals, so you will need to sign up in advance. You can sign up by either coming into the store, or my calling 928-443-5900.
We are open to suggestions for future workshop topics. I suspect that some of our future classes will include training on how to use eBird, training on the new AX Visio smart binocular, and a bird identification workshop for beginning birders. I hope you’ll consider taking advantage of these opportunities in the new year.
Until next week, Happy Birding!
Eric Moore is the owner of The Lookout, in Prescott, where you will find a Hallmark Gold Crown Store, wild bird products, and Vortex and Swarovski optics. Eric has been an avid birder for over 55 years. Eric can be contacted at eric@thelookoutaz.com.
Prescott National Forest officials would like to give folks a heads up that they have one weekend for climbing opportunities before the Forest implements restrictions on climbing and other activities on the cliff faces of both Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte starting on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Both sites have been consistently occupied by peregrines annually for more than 25 years and likely for hundreds of years before. These annual closures provide the undisturbed setting and quality nesting habitat essential for peregrines to successfully raise their young.
The closures will begin Feb. 1, 2024, and last until July 15, 2024. For both locations, the closures will be the same as they have been for the last 25 years. On Granite Mountain, it is prohibited to be upon any part of the Granite Mountain rock cliff face or the rim above the rock face and extending 100 feet back from the edge of the cliff face by rock climbing or any other means of access. On Thumb Butte, both the north and south climbing faces, the top of Thumb Butte, and the areas at the base of the climbing faces will be closed to entry. These area closures for the peregrine do not impact or close any system trails; Trails 33 at Thumb Butte and 261 in Granite Basin Recreation area will remain open for hiking.
Maps of the closed areas will be posted throughout both the Thumb Butte and Granite Basin Recreation Areas. The Prescott National Forest is asking local birders to share their field observations of peregrine falcons with our resource managers to provide a better picture of the peregrine nesting progress. Please send observations, photos, and information to the Prescott NF.
Peregrine falcons were once listed under the Endangered Species Act. They continue to be managed under the protection of the federal code of regulations as well as state and federal law. Managers consider the needs of the peregrines and the recreation desires of forest visitors and the values of Granite Mountain Wilderness to strike a balance where people and birds can effectively use the same space at different times for their respective purposes.
If you have any questions about the peregrines and their management, please feel free to call the Bradshaw Ranger District at 928-443-8000.
