This past migration season was an interesting one to say the least. Lots of things were going on… you know, a just a global pandemic. It definitely had an impact on the birding community that I am sure I can’t even explain. But for me as a birder it stopped me from going to the common places I usually bird during migration. But as a birder I did more yard birding and I also did some birdwatching down the street near a short bike path in my town. Little did I know that this is something called “Patch

 Birding” (finding a close spot near your home that you bird consistently). Whether I didn’t realize it or never thought of it before this was an amazing spot to bird. I will definitely spend some extra time there in 2021 “PATCH BIRDING”.Small parks, groves of trees, and other small “GREEN” areas near your home are great places to see different species that you wouldn’t see in your yard. The best part is that it is near your home, hopefully easy to get to and you can visit it

regularly. Some reasons why this is so beneficial is that you get to know those common birds that have taken up residence in that area and see them and their behaviors. I knew when I visited my “patch” that there was a warbling vireo and phoebe near the start of the path. 

They were there every day I birded. A Louisiana Waterthrush and family of Spotted Sandpipers hung out on the shore of the river almost daly. This allows you to become familiar with their habits, songs and calls. You look forward to seeing them. One of the biggest things I think a birdwatcher can do to become better is to get to know the common birds so well that when you see an uncommon bird it stands out even more. The best way to learn all the birds is for you to have more birds become ‘Common” to you. That is just one of the benefits of PATCH BIRDING. Do you have a patch?