As one who doesn't get out to "bird" very often, I hesitated to contribute to this thread, but perhaps others might appreciate my observations: A lot depends on how one defines "birder" and "birding." One can be a bird enthusiast, even a birder, without leaving home. This week I've spent a lot of time observing three species of woodpecker - four different families - at my feeders. Fascinating to watch these specialized bodies at work - beaks, tongues, feet. Interesting to note juvenile plumages up close, and watch them changing as the weeks go by. Interesting to watch and wonder about the [unnaturally?] close interspecies interactions and wonder about how our feeders affect behavior and perhaps contribute to spread of disease...Is that birding? Am I a birder? Regarding birding at the shore...I can't tolerate the sun, I can't afford decent optics, and my relatively poor eyesight makes distance birding unpleasant, so I rarely bird at the shore, except perhaps in the salt marshes from my canoe. [I have an understanding spouse who paddles while I bird.] I don't even try to differentiate peeps except for the most obvious like Willet, Yellowlegs, and some others. I enjoy the passerines, the raptors, and the wading birds, but really don't pay attention to the shorebirds. Is that real "birding"? Am I still a birder? I'm more interested in morphology and behavior than I am in chasing down individual species, counting individuals, and keeping lists. Is that birding? Am I still a birder? The point is...we are all here on THIS list because we love birds in all their beauty, and we love them for different reasons, and we use whatever means suit our pockets and our personalities in order to be near them and enjoy them. Similarly, I enjoy the contributions on this list in various ways: I appreciate those who count and list to the nth detail, since this info contributes to our general knowledge; I appreciate those who DO have the time and means to scout out rarities and report them for the others who have time and means to pursue; I appreciate the questions from newer birders, since the learned answers from experienced birders are helpful to all of us; and perhaps most of all, I appreciate the anecdotes of "close encounters" that remind us of the individuality and wonderfulness of our avian neighbors. Thanks to those who established and maintain this informative and useful list. Good "birding" to all the "birders" here -- and isn't it nice that we are such a various lot? :) Sarah Sarah Hager Johnston, BMus, MLS 860-676-2228 Peregrine Information Consultants www.peregrineinfo.com Research and writing for insurance, risk management, safety & health, business, and medical professionals Grace Notes www.grace-notes.com Program annotations, research, and writing services for classical musical ensembles and the professionals who serve them