Here’s some big news I’ve been waiting to spring on you all – I’m moving! No, not moving away from 10,000 Birds, as much as some of you might prefer the full force of Charlie and Corey’s genius undiluted by my drivel. The move I am about to embark on, along with Sara, Mason, and Ivy of course, is a very physical and possibly even philosophical one. We’re leaving the big, bad Bronx for the more provincial pleasures of Rochester, NY.
Surprised?
Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a city guy through and through. Despite my apparently incongruous love of nature, I really appreciate the benefits of an urban environment. Plus, when it comes to birding, this archipelago I’ve occupied for most of my life is paradise. So why am I saying so long to Central Park, Prospect Park, Pelham Bay Park, Forest Park, and (worst of all) Jamaica Bay?
I could say it’s because this city isn’t big enough for Corey and I, but of course that’s not true. Anyway, I have seniority so if anything, he’d have to leave instead. This move isn’t about saying so long to anyone or anyplace. I’m still tied to the NYC area in too many ways to spend too much time away. No, this move is about saying hello to new places, exciting ecosystems like Montezuma NWR, Irondequot Bay, and whatever boreal brilliance Canada has to offer!
I’m certain that his move north is truly a move up for my family and me. The benefit to the blog will be a whole new host of hotspots to write about. So move over, my fellow upstate New York bloggers… 10,000 Birds is coming to town!
The bitterns at Montezuma are calling me…
Mike,
Welcome! I’m so pleased that you’ll be moving up here to wonderful Rochester. It is an easier, less-expensive, and more relaxed life, BELIEVE ME, than it is down in The City. I grew up in NJ, worked in NYC for 4 years after college, then moved up here in 1995. I never want to leave.
More important, though, why I’m delighted you’re moving up here is the following reason: I publish KidsOutAndAbout.com, greater Rochester’s guide to all things fun and educational for families in Rochester. Given that you’re going to be providing such a wealth of birding information about our region, I will do my best to promote those articles by links from KidsOutAndAbout.com. (We get 80,000 user sessions per month, and 7000 parents get my weekly e-newsletter.)
And, if you’re not already in touch with the wonderful people who run the various nature centers up here, please let me know and I’ll hook you up.
Anything you need about orienting to the area, just let me know!
Debra, thanks so much for the warm welcome! We know all about KidsOutAndAbout.com — Sara has had it bookmarked for weeks in preparation for our arrival. I’ll definitely be contacting you once we get settled!
Good luck with the move.
New York City is now MINE! ALL MINE!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!
*crickets*
Man, now how am I going to get to Jones Beach?
Hey! You’re on my turf now! I thought I had claim on everything west of Syracuse!
I never much liked Rochester, though, so I suppose you can have the city.
Let me know if you’re planning any weekend birding at Montezuma, I wouldn’t mind joining. I haven’t been up there in almost two months.
Cheers
Nick
Congratulations and best of luck with your move out of the Big City. I hope it is wonderful for your family! In 2001, my family moved out of the ‘burbs and into small town life — we haven’t regretted it for a moment.
Ditto the welcome to western NY! Looking forward to birding with you more often, or periodically, or maybe just near you, schedules notwithstanding. Having grown up (physically, anyway) in Rochester we still make frequent trips to visit my folks; hopefully we can coordinate some birding now and again. And now that you’ll be birding sites I’m familiar with I might start paying closer attention to the places you write about.
😉
I kid, I kid. Good luck with the move!
Oh, and Nick, we have to talk.
-Mike
As a person that moves locations every few years I must say it’s nice to explore some new territory. I look forward to the new hotspots that you’ll uncover. Good luck with the move!
Thanks for the well wishes, all.
Nick and Mike, I’m looking forward to hitting Montezuma (and all the other hotspots) with you guys (and watching you battle for Syracuse supremacy!) I fully expect Montezuma to be my new Jamaica Bay, a tall order to be sure but I think it’s up to the challenge.
Corey, without me around, this city is going to eat you alive…
Just think instead of ‘Sea’ Watches you can now do ‘lake’ watches and if your lucky, see the same birds!
Rochester is an interesting city, not one of my favorites, but interesting. But at least its not Buffalo!
Good Luck with the move and its nice to have a 10,000 Birds member upstate once again!
Best of luck to you and your fine family on the move. I hope it’s everything and plus what you are looking for. Maybe one day you’ll move further northwest?
Hey Mike… I am a Brooklyn native, relocated to Rochester for a dozen years or so (now in Minnesota)… Rochester is a great birding area. I am almost jealous! I lived about 2 minutes from the Bay and used to go there almost daily. There a ton of GREAT spots to hit up in the Rochester area.
Like everyone else said . . . . Welcome to Western New York and now it might be a little easier to schedule some birding together! Sad for those in NYC but a great treat to us WNYers! I think we can now say that WNY is the Nature Blog capital of the world! ok, not really but is turning out that way!
Too true, Will, at least it’s not Buffalo!
Dave, we’d move to AK in a heartbeat but our kids’ grandparents would have us arrested!
Cas, you’re making me feel better about the ability of an NYC native to enjoy Rochester. Thanks.
mon@rch, we’ll definitely be meeting up, if only to plan which other nature bloggers to recruit to WNY. Oh, I guess we should go birding too…
At least it’s not Buffalo… ouch. My home is a suburb of Buffalo… but the big city does kinda suck 🙂
I nominate N8 to be recruited next for the WNY Nature Blog Capital. We could use his museum skills at CUMV here in Ithaca.
~ Nick