BBC President Barbara Volkle presents Herman with his certificate. Photo: Eva Casey.
It was around 1960 when a young man out hunting saw something beautiful at the other end of his sights. Wanting to learn more about the birds he was hunting, Herman almost stumbled upon a group of bird watchers called the Brookline Bird Club. I think he found them in the Boston Globe which announced a bird walk at GMNWR led by a teenager named Peter Alden. He soon discovered there were more birds than ducks. They made sounds, too. He traded his gun for binoculars and a telescope.
During the 60's he was a quick learn and hobnobbed with the best of the times at what became his favorite birding spot-Plum Island and adjacent Newburyport. In short time he was leading trips helping out those beginners like the leaders before did with him. Herman became one of the elite, one of those that beginners, intermediates and even experts would ask an opinion from and get an accurate answer. My friend Dave Brown recalls returning to Massachusetts in 1967 and ìasked Herman for info on Black Rail! Without any pomp and circumstance, as if trying to theorize and predict where to find one, he simply said "I don't know. If you find out anything, let me know."
Herman's hearing was excellent, his hearing is still good, and he has good command of bird song and chip notes. He could identify most of the birds he heard. He was inspiration for one to learn bird sound. This coming at a time when one had to learn song the old fashioned way; by chasing down the sound and seeing it's source.
During the late 60's, 70's and early 80's there were none better. He was in company of such notables as Dick & Dora Hale, Larry Jodrey, Gerry Soucy, Herman Weissberg, Stella Garrett, Evelyn Pyburn, Dennis & David Oliver, Nancy & Alden Clayton, Ruth Emery, Rod Sommers, Warren Harrington, & Ida Giriunas just to name a few.
He volunteered his time not only as a leader but also as a board member of the Brookline Bird Club for over 20 years, Bird Observer of Eastern Massachusetts (now Bird Observer) for about 20 years, program chairman for almost 30 years of the now defunct Needham Bird Club (finding 9 programs a year without a budget!), and assisting at the banding station at Manomet.
Herman gives of himself as well. He would take young birders in his International Travellall to all corners of the state, driving out of his way to pick them up and drop them off; as much as 45 minutes each way! Imagine going to Plum Island from Newton via Braintree. Once he moved to Somerville he has befriended visiting birders opening his home for them to stay and then go birding on their free time.
Herman has done extensive travel to all parts of the continent and the world. He has been to 49 states missing just Hawaii and has been in most of the Canadian provinces. He might not know, but I guess he is well past 700 species in North America north of Mexico and he has been to Mexico a couple of times as well as Costa Rica and Belize. As for Massachusetts he is probably over 430 species. Over the years any bird of note always got a glimpse of Herman during it's stay.
His work with novice birders, young or old, is second to none. His quiet demeanor draws people toward him and he always helps locate birds for those having difficulty or not recognizing bird song. If he knows you have not seen a bird and he locates it, then he tries hard to get you on it. Always the patient birder, staying just five more minutes, to locate what others have passed by.
Herman would lead interesting trips. He would see a need and fill it. No hawk watches; lead a trip to Mt. Tom in September. Want to see Arctic Tern; lead a trip to Plymouth Beach in early June. Want to see pelagics; organize boat trips. Want to see those warblers racing through Mt Auburn in May on their breeding grounds; lead a trip to Mt. Greylock. Shorebirds in August; lead a trip to Monomoy. He never tires of showing new birds to anyone; novices always welcome.
Herman has several legacies. He may be single handedly responsible for the pelagic trips we do. At a time when no one was running any, he took it on himself to locate boat captains which would take a group of birders. Imagine, if you will, for $20 one could go on four pelagic trips. There was one on the first Sunday in June, and last Sundays in July, September, and October. They would fill fast. As I mentioned earlier of his generosity he would not charge me. Of course I was in charge of the chum. We would have clunky walky-talkies to talk between the cabin and back. Keeping the antenna out of people's eyes was a challenge on the bouncing sea.
Another legacy of another kind is the Where to Goes in Bird Observer. Herman authored the very first, A Good Day at Cape Ann, in 1972.
And there is a nephew who has a passing interest in birds. I think his name is Duane. My cousin Duane would come on some of the pelagic trips and occasionally to Plum Island. On a more personal note, I was an 11 year-old brat Herman took on a field trip to the banding station in Manomet on October 5, 1968 which led to a life long love of all things outdoors, but mostly birds. Over the years we would have our in car debates as we traveled the state. He is amazingly well versed in current affairs. I enjoyed taking up an opposing view even though I did not agree with it just to debate. He seemed to like this as much as birds. Over the years he has become more of a friend and confidant than just my mother's brother.
Many of the trips I lead are trips Herman led for years. Plymouth Beach, I will be walking my 42nd BBC trip this spring, Mt Greylock, South Beach (until Monomoy becomes the shorebird mecca again), and the Jamaica Plain section of the Boston CBC.
Herman is an iconic figure in the birding world and the BBC. Every knows him, every one likes him, every one wishes him well. There is never a harsh word against his character.
Over the years, the Brookline Bird Club has not had a better ambassador. It was always the two Hermans passing out bluebooks; D'Entremont and Weissberg. I don't know who was responsible for more new members; it doesn't really matter. A lot of us in the audience are probably here because of Herman or someone like him.
So, it was not a great surprise to receive an email out of the blue, if you will, in late August.
(The content has been lost, but the message is clear)
I don't think I have had the privilege on meeting Mr. Dailey. But this could have been written 40 years ago. So it gives me great honor to be the one to thank Herman on behalf of the Brookline Bird Club and its' membership. If you were a drinking person we could have a toast! We thank you, Herman , for the almost 50 years of dedication, leadership, guidance, comraderie, knowledge, friendship, and all around nice guy. We salute you.
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| Herman and Glenn |
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| Herman and Peter Alden |
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