September 18 and 19, 1993
Early morning

As part of the Midwest Birding Symposium, I attended two early morning field trips. At Tiscornia Beach, I saw two Ruddy Turnstone and several ☆Sanderling☆ in winter plumage. The Sanderling were particularly bold, coming right up on the boardwalk just a few feet away from me.

The following morning in Benton Harbor, I saw a lone ☆Wilson’s Snipe☆ in a mudflat by the roadside, sitting posed between two clumps of pink flowers. A perfect look!

July 22, 1993

On the last day of my California trip, I went on a solo walk to the wetlands and lagoon.

July 21, 1993

I spent the day birding with my mom in the Malibu area. Our first stop was Malibu Lagoon State Beach, which is a fantastic place to watch birds! We walked along edge of the Lagoon and a bit on the beach, and saw loads of great things. Then we headed slightly north and inland to Solstice Canyon, where we saw a different array of wildlife.

July 20, 1993

Visited Descanso Gardens with my mom, Robin, Max, and Jessicca, and saw a handful of birds. A group of at least twelve tiny ☆American Bushtit☆ was hopping around in a bush about four feet away from me. They were too close for me to use the binoculars! Adorable, friendly little birds. A Black Phoebe came very close to me, allowing me to have a great look. I was also alerted to the presence of a ☆Spotted Towhee☆ by a great commotion of scratching in the dirt and leaves under some bushes. I was rewarded by being able to see this close relative to my local Towhee, and notice the differences between the two.

July 19, 1993

My mom and I went looking for birds in the Ballona Wetlands and along the creek (starting at Del Rey Lagoon; we were not in the current Ballona reserve area). Before the wetlands, we made a stop at Fisherman’s Village in nearby Marina del Rey, where I saw a ☆Least Tern☆ circling over the marina close to the boardwalk.

July 19, 1993

My mom and I went looking for birds in the Ballona Wetlands and along the creek (starting at Del Rey Lagoon; we were not in the current Ballona reserve area). Before the wetlands, we made a stop at Fisherman’s Village in nearby Marina del Rey, where I saw a Least Tern circling over the marina close to the boardwalk.

July 18, 1993

Along with my mom and Tom Wheaton, I took a harbor cruise out of San Pedro. I saw ☆Heermann’s Gull☆, ☆California Brown Pelican☆, and Herring Gull. The stars of the show were a ☆Gray Whale☆ mother and calf swimming together alongside our boat.

June 26, 1993

I spent the day working with the Peregrine Release Program Monitoring, to make observations of ☆Peregrine Falcon☆ that had been released in the downtown area of South Bend. It was marvelous! I watched a total of 5 or 6 birds on and off all morning and early afternoon. Not only was it wonderful being able to see these birds, but it was also good to be part of a human effort to conserve and promote the welfare of this species.

Summer, 1993

This is a collection of sightings from the Summer of 1993.

May, 1993

This is a collection of birds regularly seen in the backyard and neighborhood this summer.

May 15, 1993

I participated in the Berrien County Bird-a-Thon this year, as part of a team for Fernwood Botanical Gardens. There were four of us on the team – the Fernwood Flickers – including Fernwood naturalist Rob Venner.

May 8, 1993

On this day, I visited multiple sites in South Bend with a team of Audubon Society birders to participate in this year’s Bird-a-Thon.

April 16, 1993

As my interest in birding has grown, I thought I would see if there are any birding organizations in the local community. This led me to the South Bend Audubon Society, and this trip to Bonneville Mill is the first official birding trip I’ve ever gone on with this group. So exciting!