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Deer River Campsite
Bird Watching Pages
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Birdwatching is a rapidly-growing, non-invasive activity enjoyed by people of all ages. No matter where you are, or what your physical or financial condition, being aware of the wildlife in your area can bring plenty of entertainment at minimal cost. About all the supplies you'll need is keen eyes and ears, perhaps a reference guidebook, and maybe a pair of binoculars. What better activity can be used to bond a grandchild to a grandparent, or to make friends with strangers who share the hobby?
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At Deer River Campsite birds abound. Our area is a natural wonderland, filled with the sights and sounds of birds of all types. We invite you to browse through these birdwatching pages, and use them as a beginner's reference guide. Follow the links provided to national birding groups and increase your education into this fascinating activity. It can be a springboard to a new way of looking at the life around you, but beware - birding can be VERY addictive!
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You might be a birder if...
Someone yells "Duck!" and you look up and shout "Where?"
Vacations are planned to maximize the number of Life Birds.
You criticize TV programs that depict a Bald Eagle while playing the call of a Red-Tailed Hawk.
Your kids are named Buteo and Accipiter.
People stop and stare when you push at the shrubbery at the local mall.
Lunch breaks find you driving to check out your favorite birding hot spot.
Your spouse says, "It's either me or the birds," and you have to think about it.
On sunny days you hop in the car, crank up your tape of bird calls, and drive to the nearest mountain where the thermals are great for soaring hawks.
You pay a neighbor kid $20 to roll on a carcass and lay still while you search the sky for vultures.
You try to talk your kid into going to college in Belize so you have an excuse to go and bird there.
It's a Northeaster, the rain is horizontal, a small-craft advisory has been issued, but it's Birdathon and you need to up the day's list.
Clouds take on the shape of birds, and you can distinguish male from female, and adult from immature plumage.
A machine squeaks at work and you describe it to Maintenance as sounding like a black-and-white warbler.
The first time you meet your future in-laws you demonstrate the courtship dance of the woodcock, replete with sound effects.
You spend fifteen minutes preparing dinner for your family, and thirty minutes mixing and placing seed for your birds.
You wake your spouse at 5:30 AM and exclaim, "Is that a phoebe I'm hearing outside the window?"
Preparing for trips to visit out-of-state relatives involves contacting local birders, securing local bird lists, and buying the appropriate Lane's Guide.
You identify calls of birds in the soundtracks of television shows and movies.
You're willing to fight with anyone who criticizes your optics.
You participate in hours-long discussions about the pros and cons of using a certain Field Guide.
You lose friends, and perhaps even your spouse, from fighting over the pronunciation of "pileated."
Answering "Yes" to any of the above means only one thing - you're a birder!
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