From the Editor

Birding your way
This issue of BirdWatching features four stories about the various ways birders bird.
Features

A year in one place
Along a degraded stream near Helena, Montana, a birder’s close observations through the seasons found a hemisphere of birds in motion.

A journey to 700
How one birder built his North American life list — and learned to savor each new life bird along the way.

Consumed by counting
A half-century ago, no one had seen even 4,000 bird species. Now, some birders are homing in on the 10,000-species mark.

Fall and winter festivals
Our guide to birding festivals lists 70 events on tap from now through March where you can find cranes, hawks, and many more birds.
Columns
Since You Asked

Answers to your questions
Wasps in a bluebird nest, empty nectar feeders, and unusual prey that bluebirds feed their chicks.
Birder at Large

My patch
Where Pete goes to bird when time is short.
Attracting Birds

Tips for attracting warblers
Natural food and water are key to luring the colorful migrants.
Amazing Birds

Elegance amid extremes
Flamingos' feeding behaviors allow them to thrive in harsh environments.
ID Tips

Orange-crowned Warbler
How to tell Orange-crowned from Tennessee Warbler.
ID Tips

Why birds pump their tails
The behavior is a signal to predators to move along.
Hotspots Near You
Also in Every Issue

Birding Briefs
Important news about birds, birdwatching, and conservation.