it's hard

you know what? it can be really hard to not use the few free hours for birding you get every week to chase down some recently reported rarity, or other bird that isn't on one of your lists. it is hard, instead, to go out and try to find something good on your own. if you're like me, you're not retired, and you don't bird for a living. when that is the case, it can be very easy to rely on online reporting services to build your list. i have been guilty of playing 'follow the leader', and not doing any real searching on my own, but just chasing the most recent 'hot' bird. it is a really good way, it you're a begginner like me anyway, to erode the little mound of skills you've been working so hard to build. not only that, but it's a good way to get bored with the sport. i mean, where the hell is the challenge in re-finding a bird that a hundred people have already chased down, re-found, and reported the exact whereabouts of? maybe you're interested in whether or not you can drive there before it flys off, i don't know. for people who are going for 'big year' records, chasing is a necessary thing, but they still do A LOT of thinking and studying about where to find good birds on their own. for me, this aspect of birding is challenging. i love to see new birds, but i also like to challenge myself to be a finder, and not just a chaser. anyway, i'll keep grappling with when to chase and when not to chase, because dammit, some good birds have been popping up lately, but i've got places i want to check out on my own!