In their early days, one of the  "Buy a membership to shop and save" stores offered the following slogan to lure shoppers, and I paraphrase; You never know what you will find around the next corner. I can’t think of a better description of a successful garden or motivation for bird watching, my other hobby.
      Today I offer three thoughts for anybody on the edge, wondering about bird watching. They are bird books, binoculars and an offer from the Lancaster County Bird Club who is organizing a free bird walk for beginners this Saturday, October 15.
      My flyer reads,"Roger Stoner will lead a trip to the Lancaster County Central Park for beginning birders or for individuals that would like to experience birding for the first time. He has binoculars to loan if you need them. Meet at 9 am at the Rockford Plantation on Williamson Road in Lancaster. Contact Roger at 717-393-9030 for more information or if you plan to attend."
     About binoculars. If you are too young to be in middle or high school, binoculars are probably a liability. For the rest of us, they come in all price ranges. Some inexpensive ones are quite good and ,of course, there are some very expensive ones that create miracles.
      The best hint I can offer when using binoculars is to think about eating. The food is on your fork. The fork moves toward your mouth and your head moves toward the fork. It works with food, but you won’t find many of the birds if you use your binoculars that way. Freeze your head and vision on the bird and bring the binoculars to your eyes. That’s tough and takes practice.
      I have been with people who seemingly can focus as they raise their binoculars. I can’t. Usually we see motion before we see the bird. I try to focus on the area of motion so that I am ready if the bird offers a better look.
      If you ask five birders to name their favorite bird book I am sure you will get at least two different answers. There are many field guides. I may have dozens. Each has its value. I do have favorites.
      The problem with field guides, the experienced will tell us, is that we are too quick to quit looking at the bird and look at the guide. I often carry a pocket guide, but sometimes I don’t. If the field guide is at home or in the car and I encounter an unknown bird, I study it carefully, make notes and consult the guide when I return. That usually works well.
      Some people also sketch. I don’t. I still remember the pain suffered when my art teacher in fourth grade criticized the V shaped vultures I had added to one of my efforts.
     It’s all about what is around the next corner. Recently, I had spent a lackluster two hours at the Octorara Reservoir. As I was getting in the car to leave I spooked a larger bird. I watched it cross the lake and settle in a small willow bush. I trained my optics on it and recognized a black crowned night-heron.
      Rare, no. I have seen the bird on 27 occasions in the last four years. Unexpected. Yes. It was only the second time I have seen that bird in Pennsylvania. Lackluster was banished.