Sanderlings strolling by at Wisconsin Point
Following Nuthatch...
What state (or country) do you live in?: WI, USA
How long have you been birding?: Since about 1998.
Are you a "lister"?: Casual lister.
ABA Life List: 440 (WI 315).
Overall Life List: Same.
3 Favorite Birding Spots: Pheasant Branch Conservancy (Middleton, WI), Baxter's Hollow in the Baraboo Hills (WI) and Wisconsin Point WSO annual field trip (always a thrill).
Favorite birding spot outside your home country: Sadly, trips to Europe predate birding. Did have a "National Geographic" experience at Bird Islands in Nova Scotia.
Farthest you've traveled to chase a rare bird: Within Wisconsin only - probably about 300 miles. Wiffed on an 11 hour round-trip drive for Burrowing Owl.
Nemesis bird: Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
"Best" bird sighting: Late December swallows (WI) - probably Northern Rough-winged.
Most wanted trip: Galapagos Islands or New Zealand.
Most wanted bird: Barn Owl.
What model and brand of bins do you use?: Swarovski 8x30 SLC, Nikon Superior E 8x32, Vortex DLS 8x42.
What model and brand of scope do you use?: Swarovski AT80 HD.
What was the last lifer you added to your list?: Sharp-tailed Grouse.
Where did you see your last lifer?: Near Solon Springs, WI.
What's the last bird you saw today?: Canada Goose (last night).
Best bird song you've heard ever: Winter Wren or Fox Sparrow.
Favorite birding moment: Leading a field trip, finding a great bird and having all the participants see it. Teaching others.
Least favorite thing about birding: Listening to "bird-offs" when someone tells a birding story (or sighting) and another tries to better it for the sake of bragging - on and on it goes.
Favorite thing about birding: Near or far, every outing is an adventure.
Favorite field guide for the US: Sibley Guide.
Favorite non-field guide bird book: Donald Kroodsma's "The Singing Life of Birds"
Who is your birder icon?: None.
Do you have a bird feeder(s)?: Yes.
Favorite feeder bird?: Red-breasted Nuthatch.