It's an exciting and heartbreaking time to be a bird nerd . A birdwatcher, or a birder, if you will. Avian critters are migrating, which means we get to see rare breeds on their journeys to a warmer climate. But there have been some obstacles in their way, especially in urban areas such as New York City . You see, birds and skyscrapers don't get along. They fly into the crystal-clear glass windows of luxury condos and office buildings, and often die from the impact. Cheerful, huh? That's on top…

It seems like everyone and their mom, and their grandpa, and their cousin, is getting into birdwatching . “Birding” if you're nasty. The hobby is pretty much as wholesome as they come. It incorporates all of our favorite things: animals, the great outdoors, competition, and sometimes even socializing. It's also one of the most accessible activities a person can get into. Even in the craziest, busiest, and steeliest metropolises, there are birds to be seen in parks and even nesting on towering s…

The bir dwatching community is a unique one. In my (limited) experience, birders tend to take care of the habitats they lurk to catch a glimpse of a rare bird or even just a cute one. They nod at their fellow binocular-ed passersby, share fruitful locales (but not all of them), and pick up trash as they go on their way. The pastime (or hobby) is usually a respectable one, involving a love for living things and the environments in which they exist. Birdwatching, even in the city, has allowed me…