In memoriam: Dr. David Beatty

Written By Bird Alliance Southwestern New Mexico

Dr. David James Beatty, an avid and active Silver City birder, passed away in October. His friend and Bird Alliance member Damie Nelson shared this tribute with us.

I first met David when he joined PFLAG Silver City. It wasn't long before I knew he was an out gay man and an avid birder. He had moved to Silver City specifically because of the superb birding opportunities of the mountains of the Gila and surrounding deserts. I remember telling him, "I'm not sureifIqualifyasabirder." Heaskedmetonamesomeof the species I see at my home feeders. I tossed out Flicker, White Breasted Nuthatch, Gambel's Quail, Acorn Woodpecker, and a few others. "You're a birder," he replied. That made me smile.

Not long afterwards, David led a group birding opportunity along Cherry Creek. I was amazed at how many birds he could identify just by their sounds! A devoted friend of birds and other wildlife, indeed! I was lucky to have known him.

Bird Alliance Southwestern New Mexico https://www.birdallianceswnm.org
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