Mid-summer Birding
- Stella Miller
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
I hope you’re enjoying your summer — although that heatwave was brutal! But hey, it’s summer, right? Personally, I’ll take a blizzard and zero degrees over a hot and humid day any day of the week (which is why you’ll rarely hear me complain about winter!).
I’ve been getting my bird on as much as I can. Many of you know that I deal with chronic pain on a daily basis, so it's sometimes tough to get out there, but honestly, nature is what gives me hope and strength! I've leaned on car birding quite a bit lately, as well as birding by ear.
I’m up to bear #10 for the season (last year I saw 11, so I’m thinking I’ll easily break that record!). Recently a friend and I stumbled upon a Wood Turtle (another lifer for me) laying her eggs in a sandy area of a field. Watching her move so languidly, yet deliberately, as she worked to cover her eggs was magical. Wood Turtles are listed as "Species of Special Concern" in NYS, as well as globally endangered by the IUCN, which made seeing this beautiful mama all the more special. I’ve also had the chance to observe a few lifer insects, which was a pretty cool bonus.
I hope you’ve been enjoying some amazing encounters of your own. And remember — familiar birds are just as fascinating as the rare ones. Holistic Birding isn’t about frantically adding more species to a checklist; it’s about slowing down, connecting with nature, and appreciating the birds (and other flora and fauna!) that we share this world with.
Whether it’s a Black-capped Chickadee at your feeder, an American Robin bathing in a puddle, or a bird you’ve never seen before, every birdy encounter can fill us with joy and wonder.
What’s cool about birding holistically? Well, sometimes an outing can be kind of “birdless”. But, guess what? There are so many other fascinating things waiting to be discovered — insects, plants, mammals, fungi (have you ever really looked at how many cool mushrooms there are?), and all the tiny details that make up the ecosystems around us. See a bloom? Check out which insects are pollinating it. It’s not just bumblebees! Take in the views...just breathe in its beauty for a moment or two.
A successful outing isn’t measured by the number of birds you see. It’s measured by the experience itself. Maybe you found an interesting dragonfly (I saw my first ever Black-shouldered Spinyleg recently), noticed a wildflower you’d never seen before, watched some amazing cloud formations (check out the clouds above-stopped us in our tracks), found yourself mesmerized by the waving grasses in a breezy meadow or simply enjoyed some quiet time outside. It’s all beautiful and today, more than ever, we all need these moments of joy.
July into August can be a bit slower for hardcore birding-so head outdoors and find all the other magical things that nature has to offer us. Also, keep your eyes peeled for baby birds!
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