Why is my trail name Bird Detective?

How did you find my name?

Technically they didn’t give me the name of my trail on the trail. bird detective It actually came from my coworkers at Darn Tough Vermont. Before that, I went through red birda name a close friend gave me during our hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail in the summer of 2024. It fit me, I have red hair and I’m a bird watcher, but it never quite stuck. It felt too common.

So when someone called me for the first time bird detectiveI remember thinking, now that’s a name. It’s long, sure, but it’s unique and makes me feel very me.

Always looking, always listening

On day hikes and short overnight stays, I usually bring my binoculars. I am constantly watching and listening, following what flies above me or singing in the trees. If I hear something unknown, I usually pull out my phone and turn on Merlin Bird ID to help identify it.

Bird watching has been part of my way of getting around the woods for the past five years. It slows me down in the best way and keeps me present.

Ruffed Grouse seen on a hike in Vermont

Trail introductions, Bird First

Since it officially happened bird detectiveI’ve noticed a funny pattern when meeting other hikers. Once they hear the backstory, they begin asking questions and describe a bird they saw earlier that day.

While they talk, I usually think: Oh man, I really hope I know what this is. So far I have been right.

I would consider myself an intermediate birder. I can generally identify birds by color, size and gender. Song IDs? I’m still working on it. But if you meet the bird detective along the way, feel free to ask me your bird questions.

A good example of the bird detective in nature: stopping mid-walk to point out each bird that catches my eye.

Without binos, he’s still a bird detective

For my Appalachian Trail hike, I’ll ditch the binoculars. But don’t worry, you’ll still be able to see me.

Look for the bird hat. Or better yet, socks.

While working on the S26 collection at Darn Tough, my manager designed a pair of owls with binoculars hiding in birch trees. The moment I saw them, I said: those are Intended to be worn by the Bird Detective!

Darn Tough Vermont Lightweight Critter Club with Cushion in Owl Green.

Even without binoculars, the custom persists. I will continue scanning through the trees, stopping to listen to birdsong and answering to the name of Bird Detective as I walk north toward Katahdin.

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