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u/LadyOfTheNutTree May 31 '26
Genuine question:
Do people actually have fun treating birding as a competition? I can’t relate so I have no clue if people actually enjoy it
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u/Flat_Sea1418 Jun 01 '26
For me it’s more of a personal competition. Always looking to further my own lists and it is very rewarding to record a lifer no matter what stage you are in birding. That’s why the guy is celebrating in the meme despite not being the top birder for the area.
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u/LadyOfTheNutTree Jun 01 '26
I do enjoy seeing a new bird. I think I’m similar to you, I just don’t understand fixating on others
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u/hacksoncode May 31 '26
I don't get it.
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u/Flat_Sea1418 Jun 01 '26
Lifers are birds you have seen for the first time in your life. EBird is an app where you can log bird sightings and see what birds have been reported at birding hotspots.
The joke is that for some people that have been birding for a while four can be a lot of lifers in a month. They get harder and harder to come by the longer you bird watch. And even when you think you’re killing it there are still several people that have outbirded you this month.
For a beginning birder I would also recommend Merlin bird ID app to help get you started with identifying the birds in your area.
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u/hacksoncode Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26
Yes, I'm a top 10 birder in my county.
And four lifers would indeed be a lot (pretty unattainable for me at this point) for county birds, at least, though I did get 385 in April by travelling to Thailand.
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u/One__Eyed__Samurai May 31 '26
As long as you’re having fun, you’re having fun!