MEET LASHUNDA MANLY!
LaShunda Manly out birding (photo courtesy of LaShunda).
My name is LaShunda Manly. I moved to Madison 20 years ago from California with my family. I spend a lot of time walking and enjoying all the beauty Madison has to offer.
What is your ‘spark story’—how you got into birding?
When we first moved to Madison in October 2001, we lived near Tenney Park. Early in the morning, I would wake up to so many bird calls. It felt almost magical. There were so many different sounds and I wanted to learn more about the birds connected with each sound. On my morning walks, I enjoy watching the flow and rhythm of life around me, especially the bird life. I had no idea what I was doing was called birding until I connected with the BIPOC Birding Club this past summer for the Birds, Bikes, and Brews 2021 event. I had such a wonderful time and now I belong to a community of birders.
If you could encounter any bird in the world, what would it be?
I would love to encounter a peacock in the wild during the mating season. I want to see the males strut around with their bright trains and shake their tail feathers to attract peahens.
Edna Taylor Conservation Park (photo courtesy of City of Madison Parks).
Favorite places to bird?
Near Paunack Park (close to Yahara River and Lake Monona), Edna Taylor Conservation Park, and UW Arboretum.
What advice would you share with new birders?
Just do things that you enjoy! You don’t need encyclopedic knowledge about birds to be a birder. With time and a little research, you will surprise yourself with how much you will learn. If you can find a community of people who enjoy doing the same thing, that’s even better.
Remember, birding is for everyone! Know someone (maybe you!) who’d like to be featured in our Meet a Birder series? Send an email to Kaitlin at ksvabek@madisonaudubon.org.
Cover image: A male Indian Peafowl displays his colorful feathers. (Photo via Pixabay)
