Robert S. Morton, known to most as Bob, wrote a series of short stories, covering Fishers-centered topics that span from golf and sailing to birding, street names, and thoughts on various pets and animals, to name a few. They were published in the Fishers Island Gazette newsletters through the 1990s. The book is illustrated with a selection of Charlie Ferguson’s bird etchings. A collection of favorites was republished in a book in 2002. In the forward, it reads,
Robert S. Morton says that he rarely reports
facts or tells true stories. By revealing truth
through fiction, he makes us laugh at our pride
and appreciate life’s basic wonder.
— Fishers Island Gazette
BIRDING: TEMPTING DIVERSION
Gazette Vol 7 No 4 November 1993
Sometimes I think I should reply, “Just say no!” when people ask me if they ought to take up birding. It tends to become an addiction. Birders, especially experienced ones, are like dedicated golfers, tennis players, capitalists, communists, or almost any zealot. The better they are, the more they push themselves, the more they want.
How about birding just for the fun of it, which to me means establishing a “relationship” with a bird or even a few birds. There is a major difference here. The avid birder is out to establish “numbers.” But other than numbers, hard work and much frustration, the most a birder can hope for is the establishment of acquaintanceships with these birds. I contrast this with “friendship.”
For me, the great appeal of birds is their “human” quality. In the first place, they all have a brain and a heart and a digestive tract, doing their things, just like ours. Think about that—a brain (they think), and a heart (they feel), and a digestive tract (I doubt birds want to talk about this any more than we do).
It’s tough out there, but they are pluggers, uniquely resilient, and it seems to me, ever optimistic. What would it be like if people went around “singing,” despite their hardships? I knew only one, my mother, and what a delight!
Birds also have human-like instincts, which involve hopes and fears and libidos, to name the usual. Somehow they seem to get along without lawyers, accountants and doctors. That’s pretty evolved. We might learn something here. Birds tend to have marital problems, like most other species. Some birds mate for life; others seem to have a one-year contract, renewable, I presume.
In any event, infidelity, if not rampant, is not uncommon, nor can either male or female point a feather at the other as being the primary instigator. (Sound familiar?) Almost all birds are exceptionally devoted parents, however, with Mom being the superstar. (So what’s new?) But when the kids leave the nest, that’s it…Adios! They are on their own. (No trust funds.)
Every bird has a personality, just like your human friends, or your dog or your cat. To learn about personalities, one must get to know the “person.” Here are some tips:
- Buy a Peterson Field Guide to Birds. It gives pictures of each bird and describes where they live, their songs, flight patterns, what they eat, etc.
- Start by learning a specific bird or two or three in your backyard, or whatever locale you find pleasant. Don’t go near a place you don’t enjoy.
- Some birders bring along a few beers. I notice they report more “sightings,” some quite surprising!
- Binoculars are optional. I don’t use them. And, they are a nuisance. (If I look through the “wrong end,” the birds are too far away. If I look through the “right end,” I see mostly blurred leaves or branches, and the bird has already flown away.)
Check the list of birds seen on Fishers Island*, organized by Fishers’ premier Birder, Ed Horning [former HLF Museum Director]. I would even recommend that you concentrate on those birds that remain on the Island “year-round.” At last count, there were roughly 30 “year-rounders,” versus 230 migrants. (About the same percentage that prevails with the human Fishers Island population.) There are many virtuosos on this list, including the cardinal, song sparrow, Carolina wren and others. Indeed, our “home players” are an all-star cast.
Try to see, as opposed to merely looking, and truly listen, as opposed to just hearing. Then consult your Peterson Guide. If in doubt, make your own decision. (As a dear friend of mine once advised, “Want to know the truth? Make it up!”) This will give you some self-confidence. If you later want to consult with Ed Horning, that is a risk only you can decide to take.
If you find yourself getting rather intimate with a particular bird, like telling him or her that you love him or her, and spilling out your whole life story, don’t be either surprised or embarrassed. That is what friendship is all about. (I once persuaded a Carolina wren to stand on my hand by assuring her, after many hours, that I loved her. I meant it, and she knew it!)
Now I am not saying that all birds are perfect and will make wonderful friends. They are much like people: they have good days and bad days. I have known many birds who take sharp exception to things I either do or say. But for some reason, I really doubt that they gossip about me behind my back. (Except crows: they are very smart, very social, and I suspect, gossipers. At least they tend to scold each other a lot, a sure symptom of a troublemaker.)
Well, go to it. I believe you will find it a rewarding experience. You might even find a new true friend.
Also, I have never met a bird who would stab me in the back.
Coming from Los Angeles, I find this comforting. R/M
*Bird counts are taken each year in the spring and fall by volunteers working with the Fishers Island Conservancy and the HLF Museum. Scheduled spring and fall bird counts are announced on the FishersIsland.net calendar, with volunteers welcome and encouraged to assist. You can find lists of Fishers Island’s birds in these links:
2025 Fall Migratory Bird Count Results – Fishers Island Conservancy
2025 Spring Migratory Bird Count -Fishers Island Conservancy
2025 Reported Bird Species Sightings on Fishers Island – HLF Museum
