John Boettcher and Bruce Cady - ADK Expo at Mendon Ponds Park - June 13, 2015 @ Laura Kammermeier

John Boettcher and Bruce Cady – ADK Expo at Mendon Ponds Park – June 13, 2015 @ Laura Kammermeier

On June 13, a number of RBA members, led by John Boettcher, spent a largely sunny day at Mendon Ponds Park for the ADK Expo.

Armed with field guides, the RBA trifold display, and our enthusiasm, we answered lots of questions about bird sightings, feeders, and behavior. We identified a bird that sings “Hen-ry” as the Black-capped Chickadee for one visitor and put names (as best we could wager) to descriptions of Scarlet Tanager and Baltimore Oriole.

Nearly everyone who stopped by our booth had a bird story to tell. We heard memories from childhood, observations from hiking trips, and fond descriptions of feeder regulars. Most people “bird” in some passive way, it seems to me. Some go a step further by putting out some seed or suet. Although fewer still identify as full-fledged birders, there’s a spark of curiosity in nearly everyone.

That curiosity can only grow when it meets the knowledge and experience that RBA members hold—please join us for future public events!

Here are some of the species that came up in our conversations: