Very few things have impacted my life as much as birds have. What started as casually watching songbirds at bird feeders has grown into a passion that is now the driving force behind my future education and career plans. However, as much as I have loved birding over the years, opportunities to connect with people my age who share that passion have proven to be scarce. That’s why I was so excited when I found out that the Michigan Young Birders Network (MYBN) was being given new life. Even though my time as a “young birder” is almost over, I’m excited to spend what time I have left helping this amazing community grow and establish itself. 

While some of our platforms have only been up for a few months, I’ve already met some incredible birders my age I would never have known existed otherwise. Ever since we connected, we’ve been sharing our past and recent birding experiences and helping each other grow as birders in general. It’s been wonderful having a group of friends who are just as eager to talk about birds as I am. As of yet, the MYBN has been an incredibly positive part of my life, full of supportive and compassionate people that came at just the right time. 

Though we’ve just gotten started, many of us have begun brainstorming big plans for the future. While the nature of 2020 has stalled many of these, I have no doubt we will push through and make them happen when the time is right. The day we can all go birding together in person is something I’ll continue to look forward to through the tough times. Until then, I know most of us will keep pushing to expand our membership by introducing more Michigan teens to the fun that comes with birding. After all, I’ve realized over the years that the birds themselves are only part of what makes the activity so unique. Meeting people and sharing stories and experiences is another big part that deserves just as much attention. Hopefully, the MYBN can address this portion of birding in a way that teens like me have never been exposed to before and make the community into something even more special than it already is.

by Jessica Decker, contributor to the MYBN

This article appeared in the 2021 Winter Jack Pine Warbler.

About the Author

Hello! My name is Jessica Decker. I started birding when I was eleven after seeing a Red-bellied Woodpecker at a feeder in my backyard, and I have been hooked ever since! I’m currently a 17-year-old senior at Ferndale High School. Next fall, I will be studying Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Michigan Technological University. I am a member of the Ohio Young Birders Club and the Michigan DNR Youth Conservation Council, in addition to Michigan Audubon. I volunteer at the Bird Center of Washtenaw County weekly and love sharing my passion for birds with others. A few bird species close to my heart are the Pileated Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Common Raven, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird.