Leading ornithologist Davis takes birders to the next level

 
By JERRY NUNN

The historical role played by amateur naturalists in the advancement of science has been immeasurable. Exploring forest, grassland and shore, yesterday’s amateurs made observations that led to great discoveries and the insights they recorded are the foundation of today’s scientific knowledge. While the great age of exploration may be a thing of the past that spirit of discovery and adventure still abounds, in the hearts and minds of birdwatchers.

And amateur contributions to science are as great as ever.

“What is it they say? An amateur can find a thousand ways to solve a problem, an expert will find only one or two,” asked Jim Davis, Jr., with a laugh. “The experts are trained to find the right way. Amateurs don’t know what the right way is. They don’t have those limits.”

Davis, editor and publisher of Interpretive Birding magazine, said bird watchers are naturalists who could contribute even more to science if they were better trained to observe behavior.

“My goal is to help people take birding to the next highest level. We are in a society that makes us think we need experts to tell us what to do and what to think,” said Davis. His goal is to teach birders to do a little more than keep a bird list.

Davis earned his Ph.D. in zoology, with a focus on wildlife behavior, from the University of Texas in 1986. A birder at heart, Davis founded the bi-monthly, international magazine, Interpretive Birding, to teach others to observe and interpret bird behavior and he travels two continents – North America and Australia – giving lectures and talks.

Davis will give two presentations at the Kirtland Warbler Festival:

Birdwatchers as Amateur Naturalists is intended to revitalize the idea of the birder and outdoor enthusiast as a naturalist. Davis feels the outdoors experience can be greatly heightened by learning skills that focus energy and awareness on the behavior of birds and the activity which takes place in the natural world. The presentation will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, in the Instructional Building on Kirtland’s campus.

The Art of Interpretive Birding, to be held at 3 p.m. in the same building, Davis will discuss how to interpret what you observe in bird behaviors and will have points of interest for everyone from the amateur to the expert birdwatcher. Watching the behavior of birds and understanding why they behave the way they do, can add a new dimension to bird watching, Davis said, and he strives to share the many things he has learned.

The study of bird behavior has always been a special interest to Davis, and he has traveled the world to observe birds. He worked for the Smithsonian Institute in pursuit of his doctorate and spent two years in Panama studying the Amazon Kingfisher. A citizen of Australia, he spends winters in Brisbane, a coastal-city in Australia’s Queensland province, 200-miles-north of Sydney and halfway down the eastern seaboard.

Summers, Davis plans to travel North America in his recreational vehicle, a home on wheels, complete with an office.

And put out a magazine.

“It’s a science magazine for amateur birders,” said Davis. “We take the latest science; distill it down to terms you can understand. Its focus is to give people the background they need to interpret bird behavior. It’s upscale and technical, but we keep it highly readable.”

Davis launched the magazine in 1997, while in Australia, but quickly realized that he needed to increase its size, if he was to make a go of it. Australia is slightly smaller than the contiguous United States, and has only 19-million people – no place for a venture with such a small niche-market.

Davis returned to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and set up shop. Now, five years along in the publishing business, Davis has his R.V. loaded, ready for the road as soon as his house sells. He looks forward to doing some serious travel, as well as birding, writing and photography.

And meeting like-minded people.

“Birders are full of respect. It’s really wonderful,” said Davis. “Birders understand the natural world is a lot more exciting than what most people realize.”

You can sample the magazine, Interpretive Birding, or contact Davis through his magazine website, www.ibirding.com.