Weedwalkers appreciate more than birds
“Weedwalkers” is a strange name that would normally mean people walking through weeds. I was 13 years old when I first heard of weedwalkers. Being 13 and very interested in birds, there were few people my age who shared the same interest. That is until I met the “weedwalkers.”
We met on Wednesdays. A devoted and interesting person offered to pick me up, since I did not drive, and take me to our meeting place. It was the “weedwalkers” that opened my eyes to nature in all of its splendor. Although birds were my main interest, we also studied flowers, amphibians, reptiles and whatever was on the menu for the day or crossed our paths. This was nature study 101 for me and it was a perfect jumping-off place to be with people who had the same interests as me. I wasn’t an alien after all!
Our latest weedwalk was in Chenango County at what was once a gravel pit. Over the years, nature has reclaimed it. The Chenango Canal also runs along the edge of this area. It plays host to beaver, muskrat, mink and an occasional otter.
Over the calendar year the 1- square-mile area averages 106 species of birds. There are some constants, but occasionally the unusual shows up. This past year it was a covey of eight bobwhite quail. Although they have spread out some because of the breeding season, the weedwalkers did get to see one (their first bird of the day) as they exited from their cars.
Other highlights were willow, alder and great crested flycatchers, purple finch, a sapsucker and 26 other species. Oh, and lots and lots of weeds.
Birders’ Watch is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This column was written by Bruce Bozdos. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.
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