Linda Ewing guided our birdwatching picnic in Prospect Park, a place she calls “extraordinarily birdy.” It was a sunny Sunday in early spring, and Linda took us on a walk, pointing out birds along the way. She has a gentle and encouraging disposition, and was especially enthusiastic with the junior birders who were in our group. That’s probably because she’s been fascinated by birds since she was a kid growing up in Toledo, Ohio. Linda’s family always had bird feeders, and she has vivid memories of birds from her childhood, including an ordinary house wren, an otherwise unnoteworthy bird in the birding world except for its big voice. This was the bird that really piqued her interest and started her down the path of birdwatching. Linda appreciates the bird world for how numerous and varied they are, and because they’re accessible in a way that many mammals are not. “Birds you can just see in your backyard!”
We thought that Linda might have some secrets for packing a picnic for birdwatching. Instead, we laughed when she told us that “birders are terrible picnickers because we’re so distracted by the birds! A lot of us subsist on trail mix, maybe PB&J sandwiches, granola bars. Stuff that’s easy to pack and transport.” Her favorite picnic food, even if it’s not for birding, is a tasty muffaletta sandwich, really good potato chips, and cut up watermelon (infused with tequila if there’s no driving involved!!).
When we asked Linda about her favorite picnic memories she told us that she loves being in Prospect Park as it’s getting dark, which is when the birds are heading to bed and the bats come out. If she’s thinking about a dream picnic destination it would definitely be Ecuador, because of its incredible diversity of habitat.
Linda encourages folks to join a local birding club. New Yorkers can check out the Brooklyn Bird Club, and take advantage of the incredible amount of great birders who volunteer their time to introduce people to birding. There are introductory walks geared towards beginners, and offer a friendly and informal group atmosphere. You can find them every Saturday at 10am at the Boat House. Everyone is welcome!
Thanks Linda!! We had a wonderful time and learned so much. Like Linda, we hope that you get out there, maybe with some peanut butter sandwiches and trail mix, and go look at some birds.
Your friends in picnics,
F & T