5 minute read
Eyes to the Sky
Photo by Clayton Chase
The beauty of birding
In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.
- Baba Dioum
BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS
Finding the right path can be challenging. But if we pay attention and stay open to the possibilities, we will often find ourselves in the midst of life-defining moments.
“I spent my childhood exploring the woods, lakes, and streams of Michigan,” shared Deniz Aygen, Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Viewing Biologist. “On my first day of 11th grade, I stepped into my conservation biology classroom to find a table covered with 20 taxidermy birds. That entire year was dedicated to learning about birds. It all culminated in a week-long camping trip to put our skills to use. During that trip, my ‘gotcha bird’ was a Kirtland’s Warbler, an endangered species endemic to the young jack pine forests of central Michigan. That moment solidified my path.”
Aygen went on to become a bird biologist, earning her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina. Shortly after, she found her way to Idaho and began her career at Idaho Fish and Game. “I co-developed the Idaho Birding Trail in 2005 and helped launch the Bird by Bird Program in 2009. My passion lies in promoting nature appreciation, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation, while emphasizing the conservation of nongame wildlife and their habitats across Idaho,” she said.
Through hard work, Aygen has transformed her passion into a lifelong career and is committed to bringing that same passion to education and outdoor experiences across the state. Her programs and wildlife viewing guides are printed by the thousands and feature pocket-sized guides on ungulates, owls, and bats—with more on the way.
“The Treasure Valley offers some fantastic birding spots,” Aygen said. Among the many are Kathryn Albertson Park, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve, Eagle Island, and Foote Park.
But for those looking for the “ultimate birding destination in Ada County,” Aygen highly recommends the Blacks Creek Bird Reserve. “It tops the list with more than 240 species recorded. The best times to visit are during spring and fall migration, when waterbirds are abundant,” she said. “Blacks Creek provides critical habitat for many bird species, including the Long-billed Curlew, a species of greatest conservation need in Idaho.”
Although Aygen adores birds of all kinds, she says she is particularly fond of the Belted Kingfisher, which can often be spotted along the Boise Greenbelt. “This sassy, stocky blue-gray bird with a large, crested head and loud rattling call is an expert fisherman, diving beak-first into the water to catch its prey,” she said.
The Treasure Valley offers some fantastic birding spots.
Another revered Idaho birder is Wallace Keck, who recently retired from more than two decades as the superintendent and park manager of both Castle Rocks State Park and the City of Rocks National Reserve in Almo. The combined land area between these two sister parks spans more than 14,000 acres in southern Idaho and is a prominent area for rock climbing, camping, and of course, birding. According to the National Park Service, the official checklist for this area boasts 187 different bird species, including the Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, and Cedar Waxwing.
For birdwatchers, there is always a "gotcha" bird—a reason to forever scan the skies.
A birder for over 40 years, Keck has captured thousands of incredible photos from his adventures across Arkansas and Idaho. “I started birding in college. Not only was the professor responsible for opening my eyes to a whole other world, but I have used that knowledge to help other land managers and members of the public experience the often-overlooked world of birds—their ecology and importance to all of life,” he shared.
Keck enjoys the comradery of birding with like-minded birders and spending quality time in nature, but firmly believes in the power of birding to expand our understanding of the natural world. “Birding leads to a deeper awareness of the importance of conservation,” he said. We must protect our beautiful outdoor spaces, and we protect only what we love and understand.
Alongside City of Rocks, there are thousands of amazing places across Idaho to find birds—including your own backyard—but Keck also recommends the Hagerman Valley (just over an hour outside of Boise) and the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area. He can often be found looking, or listening, for the Pinyon Jay, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and the Black-throated Gray Warbler. For birdwatchers, there is always a “gotcha” bird—a reason to forever scan the skies. Whether it is the tall and skulking Great Blue Heron, the melodic Western Meadowlark, or the busy Northern Flicker, the bird is certainly the word.
