“People to my right will not be able to see this bird.”
I don’t know how many times I’ve said something like that while leading a field trip, but one of the first things I evaluate when giving directions to a bird is whether the people I’m with have a clear, unobstructed view or whether they will need to move to achieve one. When I make an announcement like the one above, what I’m hoping will happen is that everyone to my right will quietly and cautiously shift position so they have the view they need.
Whether you are alone or with a group, if you know a bird is “in there” but you just can’t spot it, there are two possible reasons why. The bird may be fully open to view, but not moving and/or cryptically patterned so it’s difficult to spot. If that’s the case (and it often is), your best bet is to carefully scan with binoculars the area you think the bird is in, hoping to pick it out. If you are in a group, ask for directions to the bird again.
Find “the hole.” Some of the details on this oriole (a fall female Baltimore) are hidden by vegetation. In this case, simply taking a couple cautious steps to the left should open up a clear view. You might even be able to make this move without taking your binoculars off the bird. Photo by Don Freiday.
Just as often, however, you’re not seeing the bird because your view is blocked by leaves, branches, or the field trip participant standing in front of you. You have two choices here: wait for the bird to move into view, or move yourself to a spot you can see it from. This isn’t necessarily an easy choice. By moving, you risk revealing your own position to the bird, and possibly frightening it away. By not moving, you risk missing heart-stopping stationary views of that Blackburnian Warbler, teed up on a song perch and singing away.
If you have reason to believe you are blocked, I say move, but move carefully. Most of the time we’re talking about moving to one side or another, but don’t forget to try crouching, standing on tip-toe, or even climbing up on something to get the view you need.