[Tweeters] How can I "up my game"?

[Jim Betz via Tweeters]

Hi all,


   I need some help.  I often use eBird to look up "where are people 
finding birds" by

checking recent checklists.  This usually helps me to pick a place in 
Skagit County

where we live because I can see 'what's happening' quickly.

   However, what I've noticed is that there are lots of birders who are 
posting

checklists with 2x 3x, and even more as many birds as I'm finding when I

go to the same place at the same time of day.


   ===> So my question is 'what are they doing that I'm not'?


   Here is what I am doing.  I walk and stop about every 30 feet or less 
- and listen

first and then try to spot the more nearby birds I'm hearing. When I get 
a visual I

will try to identify that bird.  I -often- hear birds that I can't id 
from the song/call.

   I'm fairly new to birding - started about 5 years ago.  When I am on 
guided tours

the guide -always- is way ahead of me.  My primary focus is getting 
pictures and I

rarely carry anything other than my camera with long lens - but when my 
wife is

with me she has her bins and that helps (some).  At least 9 out of 10 
times I go

out I'm by myself rather than with a partner or group.

                                                                - Jim