What's your "Looking Back" story?
Carolina Wren by Chris Bosak (copyright, all rights reserved)
A regular feature on the Bird Calls Radio program is when we take a “Look Back.” I dig through old field guides published 50 or even 100 years ago, or read a birdwatching column published in a newspaper in years long gone by, and glean some interesting tidbits. How has birdwatching changed over the years? How was it different back then?
Perhaps the names of birds have changed. Many birds now common to New England (or any area, really) were not common, or even existent, many years ago. Maybe even some birdwatching behavior has changed. It’s always fun to take that “Look Back.”
So what is your Looking Back story? Do you remember birding being different “back then”? If so, send me your story. A quick sentence or two will suffice, or feel free to expand. Hopefully I’ll have time to read a few of your stories on air during a future Bird Calls Radio show. Get your stories to me by clicking “Contact me” in the menu above. I look forward to reading some of your stories and, as always, thanks for your support of Bird Calls Radio.
Speaking of birding history, birdwatcher Dennis Varza is compiling an extensive historical account of birds recorded in Connecticut. He was my guest on Bird Calls Radio on my Christmas Day show. If you missed it or want to hear it again, go up to BCR Archives at top of page.
Other guests, such as Joe Zeranski and Richard Soffer, have offered similar historical approaches. Check out the “Radio Archives” section above for all past Bird Calls Radio shows.
In the years 1955-1963, I lived in the Boston area. My neighbor and I were avid birders and one day a cardinal appeared at her feeder. She called me and I ran over. Cardinals were so rare in the area that we called Mass Audubon who also came right over. Today, they are one of my most common birds at the feeder all year round.
On the other hand, I moved to Westport, CT on the water in 1969. I remember the crowds of Scaup on the Sound and in our tidal creek. Today we see virtually none of them. Sad.