Despite appearances, this post is not about how to get children into birding! And you need not even be a mother to get something from it, either. I’m considering instead one aspect of prejudice in birding that if addressed, could have broader benefits for all birders who experience being marginalized.
In my personal experience as a female-identified parent of small children who is a serious birder, my participating in birding is now impacted by said children. And I am not blaming my children, who are future voters for conservation and birds. No, I’m directing an eagle eye at the defined practice of birding itself.
I observe this birding culture that I love is steadfastly designed by people who never factored in the care of small children in celebrating what it means to be a “serious birder”: The chasing of rarities, self-funding Big Years, serving on boards and committees, exotic birding travel, even taking part in birding festivals as a regular attendee—none of these things is something a mother can easily participate in without not one but all the following components in her own household: child care arrangements, a supportive partner, reliable transport and time and income to accommodate birding or volunteering.
But the biggest constraints may be outside her control: How many organizations, tours and festivals are designed and scheduled at times that parents could participate (with or without children)? The world of birding promoted hither and yon from my vantage looks much more accessible for men (with partners at home taking care of the kids) or birders of any gender who are child free.
I talked about being a mother birder on the ABA podcast and have since banded with another professional birder (and mother), Bridget Butler of Bird Diva Consulting, to organize a “Bird Like a Mother” Zoom meet up on Sunday, January 10, 2021 (join us if you are interested!), to further learn the joys and challenges from other birding mothers. I hope as a group we’ll come up with some solutions to suggest to festival organizers, trip planners and non-profit boards and committees for making participating easier for us.
Meanwhile, I’ll bird as I can—15 minute intervals here and there on the way to somewhere else, with a kid who may or may not be obliging of the opportunity. These photos are taken near where I live in the Skagit Valley of Washington State, Enjoy!
At a beach within walking distance of our house, where this December we’ve seen Hooded Mergansers and right Buffleheads offshore.
Same beach with trees full of American Robins, Varied Thrush, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Song Sparrows darting among the driftwood.
In the Samish flats near Edison, WA, the Cascade foothills in the distance. We were here watching the photographers watch the Short-eared Owls.
There’s one of the tens of photogs in the nearish foreground, hoping for a shot of a Short-eared owl in front of Mount Baker.
Kersti Muul took this photo of a Short-eared Owl the same week and location as our owl spotting in this post. It may even be the same owl! Photo courtesy of Kersti Muul. December 2020.
She looks how I felt after seeing the Short-eared owls that afternoon!