Photo: Black and White Warbler, courtesy of the Chippers
If you’ve visited any of the South Arlington parks recently you may have encountered two engaging teen birders “The Chippers,” as they are known on their website. Max and Danté are brothers, two years apart in age but entirely in sync about birds.
Field Sparrow, courtesy of the Chippers
Mourning Warbler, courtesy of the Chippers
As a Christmas present in 2018, Max and Dante’s uncle gave them a birdfeeder. As soon as they put it up in their Arlington yard the brothers were hooked. Soon they were outside, beyond their backyard, scouting the local parks for birds. Four months later in April they described finding their first warblers – a Yellow-rumped and a Black-and-white – as, “Absolutely Incredible!”
Rusty Blackbird, courtesy of the Chippers
Since then, the brothers have gone on to develop a website about birding in South Arlington Parks which includes their recent sightings with excellent photographs by Max and ingenious drawings by Dante. Far more ambitious than a checklist, “The Birding Guide to Southwest Arlington” documents birds with photographs, voice and behavior recordings, field notes and when and where to find the birds.
It’s an impressive undertaking by two young people. We wondered why they took this project on. According to Max and Danté, their parents are “into fitness” and “raised us to be outside.” It also sounds like their parents also encouraged them to use their natural curiosity while giving them the confidence and space to explore the world around them. And thanks to their own gregarious natures, they encountered other mentors.
In the early days of the pandemic the brothers began each morning with three-hour bird walks around their local parks where they made friends with people they encountered such as “The Owl Guy,” who showed them where the resident Barred Owl roosts and encouraged them “…to publish some of the stuff you do.”
In the future, the brothers want to expand their website to include all of Arlington and generate interest in habitat restoration projects at their schools and parks. Stay tuned.
“This is my life’s passion and work.” Danté
“I want to go out in the environment and make a difference.” Max
Swamp Sparrow, courtesy of the Chippers
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, courtesy of the Chippers