It’s Hot Limpkin Summer Winter in New Jersey! During the Summer of 2022, Limpkins erupted from South Florida and the Neotropics to become the first records in 9 states. The reason for this eruption can be debated (climate, food sources, habitat destruction) and while it is unknown we can still appreciate the northward expansion of these apple snail eaters. Pennsylvania and most recently and luckily for me, New Jersey were added to the list of first-ever Limpkin records in 2023.
Chasing rarities or generally the topic of listing is something that is overwhelming and daunting for a beginner birder. I still feel weird about traveling an hour in both directions to see a bird that may or may not still be there by the time I arrive. In particular, the feelings I get often revolve around the dissemination of information about the rare bird and if I belong in that arena. I can only imagine that a lot of newer (or seasoned) birders feel the same way. There is a connotation around some Rare Bird Alert (RBA) Groups being secretive or selective or in other scenarios, these birds are in a stranger’s backyard which can feel unsafe or even dangerous at times. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to chase rarities or participate in the listing process and there is also nothing wrong with wanting to be part of those cultures. My push to myself was starting to take these adventures to chase rare birds in parks or public areas that would feel less ‘official’. When I arrive there would sometimes be a few to a dozen folks who are all trying to do the same thing – get eyes on this bird. The culture at these “stakeouts” keeps me feeling comfortable to show up and drives me to soon graduate from public areas to a backyard rare bird when that time comes. There will always be folks who are rude or overly obnoxious at these chases, but it is important to understand that almost everyone is there for the same reason; we love this hobby and are fascinated by these birds.
Earlier today when I drove to see the Limpkin in Manasquan, NJ, I checked eBird to see its most recent location and went with hope and a prayer. I completely knew that it was 50/50 if the Limpkin would be there or if it wouldn’t be and that was part of the fun of it. With every rare bird, there are lots of birders who are too late and those are stories to tell. Luckily for me, the Limpkin was there in a field and put on quite the show. About a dozen or so people came to check it out over the course of an hour with a majority being non-birders who saw the bird on the news. Talking to these non-birders about how unusual and cool this occurrence is makes these adventures for me. The social aspect of rare bird stakeouts or chases is at times more of the reason to go.
As I was wrapping up, one of the people I was talking with mentioned that there was a Western Cattle Egret about 10 minutes away at a National Guard Training Center, another rare bird for New Jersey. Being so close and still riding the high of the Limpkin spot, I took the drive over. This chase was a whole ‘nother ball game in terms of easiness and accessibility. Since the Training Center is private Military property you had to hope that it came into view to be able to get a glimpse. After about 45 minutes and changing locations a few times, I spotted the Cattle Egret on top of a car about 800 feet away. Of course, that is near the location where I started so I took the trip around and caught it taking flight, landing for a few minutes on a post, and then dropping down to an inaccessible line of sight for the next 25 or so minutes until I called it a day. In total, it was 90 minutes of searching at this location and only about 5 minutes of subpar sights and that was it. That seems to be very indicative of how most rare bird chases go and for me, the search made the eventual sight that much better. It definitely is addicting and that sense of comradery of folks who participated in that chase helps build some form of community that ever so slowly helps knock back some of the awkwardness of it all.
The definition of a rare bird is up to you and doesn’t need to be something that has never been seen before in your area to be rare. It could be rare for that season or something you personally have never seen before. The other day I chose to chase Snow Buntings near where I live instead of the Limpkin in its first few days because the Snow Buntings just piqued my interest a little more. It was rare and unusual for me and that’s all that mattered. I obviously would have been upset if I wound up missing the Limpkin for a bird that I had a pretty good chance of seeing in the future but It was still rare to me that day.
I recommend stepping out of your comfort zone just a little bit when it comes to chasing. That could be a rare bird, a new bird for you, or just a new location that would be new. It is uncomfortable at first but it is what makes this hobby interesting and so much fun.
