The Easy Life List

Adding a bird to a life list can take some work. On the other hand, it can help to just look out your window.

I've added birds to my life list hiking in the Cascade Mountains. I've traveled specifically with the intent of seeing a certain species for the first time. This month, however, I added two species in two days without leaving sight of my house, and the second bird walked right up on my back porch.

On September 6, I was leaving my place when I noticed some quail-like birds along the road. They turned out to be the first two northern bobwhites I'd ever seen. Adding a species to my life list with such ease made me laugh when I thought about some of the lengths people, including myself, have gone to see a new bird.

Much to my surprise, the experience happened again the next day except my first sighting of a chukar came even more easily. I noticed my cat looking out the window, and when I checked to see what it saw, I found a chukar walking on my back porch. I'd considered myself lucky after seeing the bobwhites, but I figured I couldn't ask for more than a chukar strolling up to my house and saying hello.

Adding birds to a life list can be quite easy if the birds find you.