[Tweeters] Birding and carbon

[Scott Ramos via Tweeters]

I met Dorian Anderson at Oyhut Wildlife area at Ocean Shores during his big
year and was impressed with his dedication to such a grand ambition, but
also at his birding skill. But as Bob points out, this is unlikely to
become a regular endeavour. On the other hand, local big days or even
simple birding trips can be done mostly carbon-free with not that much
effort.

Several years ago, I participated in what was labeled a Big Day Birding by
Bus. It was fun and I decided to continue the concept, leading Seattle
Audubon Birding Big Day by Bus trips for several years. The plan was to
meet at either a central location to begin the bus trips, or at least meet
at the first birding hotspot to join the group. From then on, we would bird
at least 3 prime locations and take public transport to get to each of
them. The route usually started at Discovery Park, where at least 4-5 hours
were spent on a full park traverse, ending the morning by crossing the
Ballard Locks on foot. Some years, we allowed enough time for a burger
break at the Red Mill in Ballard. Next was a bus trip to Husky Stadium
where we continued on foot along the Montlake cut to the boat rental dock
and on to the 'Fill' and Yesler Swamp, a route of at least a couple more
hours. A walk up to Sand Point Way and then another bus to Magnuson where
we used what time was left to mop up species missed elsewhere. Logistics
were sometimes a challenge but we once had a group of 12 people and a best
year of 109 species. It can be done.

And before that, when backpacking was still more of a focus than birding, I
had done some sector hikes on the PCT and worried about my carbon footprint
because I needed rides to and from the starting and ending trailheads. With
just a little research, I devised a carbon-free trip to hike sector L of
the PCT from Stehekin to Manning Park: Metro bus from home to Amtrak where
Mark Crawford joined me, train to Wenatchee, walk to a hotel, then in the
morning, walk to a county bus stop for transit to the Lady of the Lake
terminal, a boat trip to Stehekin, a local school bus to the PCT trailhead,
then 8 days of backpacking, ending in Manning Park, Canada, with a walk to
a hotel (to spend some carbon on clothes washing and drying--wet gear was
hung in our room--as well as on nice burgers!), then in the morning flag a
Greyhound to Vancouver, walk to the train station, Amtrak to Seattle and a
metro bus to home. Again, it can be done.

Scott Ramos
Seattle

P.S. For those who might be interested in the carbon free backpack trip and
itinerary:
https://naturenw.wordpress.com/2008/09/06/multi-modal-backpacking/
https://naturenw.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/stehekin-to-manning-park/


On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


> Carried to the extreme limits of the public transportation approach is:

> "Birder bicycle big year" refers to Dorian Anderson's groundbreaking 2014

> 'Biking for Birds' project, where he completed the first North American

> Big Year (seeing the most bird species in a year) entirely by bicycle,

> without fossil fuels, covering 18,000 miles.

> His trip was several years ago and the  book had to wait to more recently

> to appear.  I just read it and am glad that I did. *Birding Under the

> Influence*.  There is somewhat more coverage of how he recovered from a

> variety of personal bad habits/addictions, and I would have liked to have

> seen more birding details as well.  But there are quite a few as it is.  *Well

> worth the read.*  And with some time spent going through Washington. But

> this is unlikely to become a regular thing.  Especially since he saw ~620

> species. in the 48 states.  AND, no pelagics.  They use fossil fuels. I

> doubt anyone would try to beat this.  But State, County, City, etc. are

> available for a much greater audience.  And then there's walking.  And then

> there's the Big Sit which doesn't even involve walking, other than to the

> sit spot.

> Bob OBrien  Portland

>

>

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