the birder survey

Patrick at The Hawk Owl's Nest started a birder survey meme.  I'll play along...

What state (or country) do you live in? MI, USA
How long have you been birding? Seriously, about 15 years.
Are you a "lister"? I keep lists (of everything!), but no longer consider myself a lister.
ABA Life List: 568
Overall Life List: 908
3 Favorite Birding Spots: Study site at work, Santa Ana NWR in south Texas, Pipeline Road in Panama.
Favorite birding spot outside your home country: Cienaga de Zapata National Park, Cuba.
Farthest you've traveled to chase a rare bird: In 1993, several of us went to Delaware to see North America's first Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus). In 2000, the road trip was to North Carolina for a Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii). I really doubt I would do anything like this again. 
Nemesis bird: Purple Sandpiper.
"Best" bird sighting: As in, rare bird I've found?  A Virginia's Warbler in Michigan.
Most wanted trip:  A trip down the Amazon from Manaus.
Most wanted bird: Wallcreeper.
What model and brand of bins do you use?: I have several pair, but my out-and-about birding bins are Leica 8x32 BA Trivinoids.
What model and brand of scope do you use?: Husband schleps the scope --  Leica APO Televid 77.
What was the last lifer you added to your list?: Rusty Sparrow (Aimophila rufescens).
Where did you see your last lifer?: Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
What's the last bird you saw today?: White-throated Sparrow.
Best bird song you've heard ever: Winter Wren.
Favorite birding moment: A Blue-headed Quail-Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala) strolling across the trail in front of me.
Least favorite thing about birding: Ego-centric obnoxious birders.
Favorite thing about birding: Peace and discovery.
Favorite field guide for the US: Nat Geo.
Favorite non-field guide bird book: The Beak of the Finch.
Who is your birder icon?: None.
Do you have a bird feeder(s)? Yes.
Favorite feeder bird? Red-breasted Nuthatch!

Comments

[Patrick]

Cool. Thanks for posting. It must have been wonderful to visit Cuba.

[Laura]

It's really interesting to see how many birds you have on your life list, yet purple sandpiper is your nemesis bird. Thanks for the chuckle!

[Nuthatch]

Aside from the geographical disadvantage here in Michigan, where Purple Peeps usually show up on the west side of the state, is the fact that I really hate being cold. Seeing that species here inevitably means standing someplace cold and windy. YUCK!

[Mike M.]

Hey Nuthatch,

I remember helping a friend get his life bird Purple Sandpiper at Sheboygan WI when it was -11d F. My friend commented, "How can its eyeballs not freeze!?" as the bird cheerfully hopped over ice covered rocks with waves splashing on it.

Mike M.

[Ellen]

Oh shoot! When I did the survey, I couldn't think of a nemesis bird, and now you've reminded me - Blue-headed Quail Dove. Darn Darn Darn we spent several mornings looking....well, an excuse to go back to Cuba. And Mountain Witch (Crested Quail Dove) - excuse to go back to Jamaica. See a trend here? Sorry I missed you in Veracruz....I missed far more people than I actually managed to see.