Bird count lists

Keeping a list of birds encountered by a bird watcher, also known as a birder, is a common activity. There are various kinds of lists, but all of them involve keeping a list of the names of the birds identified by a person.

The first list is known as a life list. This is a collective or combined list of all the birds identified by a person during their lifetime.

There is a status or ranking among birders consisting of the number of different species on a person’s list. Plus, there are some rules connected with maintaining a life list.

Going to a zoo and seeing a rare bird does not count as a species to be added to a life list. Nor does a dead bird.

Example: A person has never seen a snow goose before, but wants to add one to their list. They stop at a grocery store and see some hunters looking at some dead snow geese in the back of a pickup. The geese were harvested three hours before in a nearby farm field.

This birder should not add this bird to their life list. However, the birder is directed to a farm field where the birds are currently landing. The person drives five miles to the east and views a flock of snow geese in the field. She can now add snow geese to her life list.

A birder must remember a birding list is anything you want it to be. But, consider these guidelines: The person keeping the list must be able to identify the bird by sound or by seeing the bird and making a positive identification.

Example: A son walks 50 yards ahead of the rest of the family. He spots a snowy owl, but none of the other three members of the family see the bird. The son can add the bird to his list, but the rest of the family should not.

Birding is a sport which can last a lifetime. Imagine a young person, say 8 years old, guided by her parents to view and identify birds. This person is so fascinated by this activity, she keeps a life list well into her adult years. She also passes her love of the sport to her children.

A life list is not the only list maintained by bird watchers. Other possibilities include a backyard list, a yearly list, a day list … you get the idea.

Parents should consider keeping a journal, along with the various lists. All family members would be allowed to add to the journal. The lists could be separate from the journal or incorporated into the journal.

The journal and lists will provide memories which will last a lifetime for the entire family.