A Rogue Agent

Often, I find myself alone on many of my birding treks these days.  By all standards, I am a rogue agent. Once and awhile I join teams, but it is often I slip off into the night sky like a nighthawk.

The sleepy Elf Owl

In the birding world, there is a lot of great support and structure for people. I record for Ebird.  I help Audubon with bird counts when I have the time.  I assist researchers out in the field when I have the time.  And I sometimes host as a bird guide.......when I have the time. I am also a photographer at heart. Many birders find themselves caught between such wonderful options. And whatever they choose to do, they directly or indirectly define who they are to the larger birding community. Some are more aligned to their Audubon agencies while others stand guard over the data of Cornell University's Ebird.  The Listserv crew shares rarities and first of year sightings with all the detailed information about where the birds are being seen to the birding community.  Meanwhile the smart ornithologist organizes events communicating between these various organizations to help aide in their research. Sometimes they tempt us with the taste of Bairds, Longspurs and Grasshoppers. And we can't refuse:)  Oh and did I forget to mention that there were working expert birders in the bunch who serve as guides? They add their useful tips for ID's and locations. And within all of this, there are various degrees of birders. It's a complex web of people all centered around the magical world of birds.  Yes, it could be a TV show full of drama.

A Cactus Wren guards the nest

And yet I am still a rogue agent.  Perhaps it's the way I look at things?  I can't commit large amounts of time to any of the organizations other than what I do now because I work full time.  My ears are powerful tools.  I found that whenever there is a group of people, there is often talking. So many times I need to go solo so that I can focus on sounds. I do like people but I have to concentrate. My eyes are so weak.  Sometimes when Pat is along, I need help locating the bird calling from the mass of vegetation as was the case with this Rose-breasted Grosbeak below.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a super rare bird for Southern Arizona

Recently, on a journey into Sweetwater Wetlands after school on Friday, I needed to unwind.  It began like most of my Sweetwater treks......begin at the stream and walk around the ponds.  It was dead quiet.  Hot and sunny.  But my thoughts were my own on this day.  As the sun began to set, I noticed the swallows and Lesser Nighthawks come alive in the sky.

The Lesser Nighthawks inundate our skies at twilight

I dig deeper into the magic of the Cliff Swallows as they feed in mid-flight.  I imagine it's like one motorcyclist trying to share a burrito with the other while going 55 miles an hour down the road.  I have a private laugh.

Cliff Swallows feeding

I stand under the gazebo and watch the dark shadows fly by me.  Wait?!  What was that?!

And then a miracle happened.  A bird with a looooooong tail flew past me.  Not a swallow nor a nighthawk!!!! No way.  IMPOSSIBLE!  No one was around to share this epic moment. I couldn't do anything other than quietly follow the bird and watch as it perched briefly for me to snap a few photos with my shaky hands. There it sat and there it watched me.  Me, the Rogue Agent. Or was it the other way around?  I'd need to prove to them, the guardians of data and rare sightings, that the near impossible had happened.  No one was going to believe this.  I was Big Bird with his imaginary friend Mr. Snuffleupagus.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

I contacted the necessary people, but by the time all was said and done, the sky had darkened.  An alert was sent out and people went to find the bird at sunrise the next day.  It had been too late.  The bird decided to continue its journey.  And this Rogue Agent felt bad.  How many times have I used the Listserv to find rare birds found by others?   This was my opportunity to help others find an amazing bird and I failed. I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself because I've chased other's reports only to come up empty handed.  But this was a chance to contribute something wonderful for my community.  When I help others find life birds, I get excited because there is nothing quite like the satisfying feeling of contribution.  But this life bird for many would not happen.....today.

So as I keep my eyes open for rarities during migration, I begin to plan for June. My eyes look to the North now because that is what the Rogue Agent does. I am constantly on the move like the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. I belong to no one because I am a world birder.  Not of the US.  Not of Arizona. I am a detective. This world has a few secrets left and I hope to unravel some of them. And even if I don't, I will die trying.  More to come.....

When the world comes crashing down upon us, all we have to do is step outside the door and look up....or down......to find Mother Nature's beauty. 

For more birds from around the world check out Wild Bird Wednesday!