An Interview with Sterling Hollman, Crane Season Volunteer

For many volunteers, a single opportunity can lead to a lifelong passion. That's certainly true for Sterling Hollman, whose search for community service hours led him to volunteering during crane season at Rowe Sanctuary. Katie Moore, Rowe Sanctuary Volunteer Coordinator, sat down with Sterling to learn more about his birding journey, favorite birds to photograph, and a unique highlight from this past season. 

Katie: What got you interested in volunteering at Rowe?

Sterling: I was struggling to find somewhere that could consistently give me community service hours for my National Honor Society requirement at my high school. I was dual-enrolled at the local university, and I was sent a list of volunteer opportunities from the honors program there. Rowe Sanctuary was on the list, and since I love birding and wildlife, I sent an email. After getting all my hours, I decided I didn’t want to stop volunteering, so I keep coming back!

Katie: I have heard that you have always loved birds, when did you first start loving birding?

Sterling: The first time I really took an interest in birds was in eighth grade. My science teacher decided to include a little course on Nebraska birds in our usual curriculum. I became obsessed with birds after that. I read a pretty large portion of National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, which is 752 pages of purely birds. I bought a camera that same year and began taking pictures of birds I saw everywhere. During high school, I was too busy with sports and grades to spend my time birding, so it became a thing I only did on vacation until my Senior year. That was when I started volunteering at Rowe, and I had a biology class at the university with the ornithology professor, who helped reignite my love for birds.

Katie: You have taken a lot of pictures of birds, what is your favorite photo of what bird and why?

Sterling: As of writing this answer, I have an album on my phone with over 1,200 photos of birds, so it’s difficult to pick. However, very recently I was given the opportunity by the ornithology professor at the university to use a very nice camera. On a whim, I took a photo of a Common Grackle in my backyard. Upon reviewing the picture, I realized the beauty of this bird. The camera did very well in capturing the simple, yet extraordinary features of this common bird. Many would consider it a nuisance species, but by taking a minute to really look at it, I saw an amazing living being living the best life it can.

Katie: What made you want to be on the birding bowl team with me, Anne and Brian?

Sterling: I really like to see how other people experience birding. I know Katie, Anne, and Brian pretty well, and I think they are very fun birders. I know that Brian is someone I can learn from because of his experience, and I really like the enthusiasm Anne and Katie have for birding. Being on this team gives me more opportunities to get out birding, learn, and have fun!

Katie: Did your family love it that you brought them out on a crane tour, and you were guiding on your birthday? I know at your graduation party your mom said she was so proud that you led the tour for them.

Sterling: My family had never fully given Sandhill Cranes the time of day before I brought them for a tour. The people that live near the Platte River often don’t realize what an incredible event this migration is until they see it. They were quite amused when I asked them to come, and by the end of the tour, they were amazed. They had never realized that one of the largest migrations happens in their backyard!

Katie: Will you be back next crane season to guide tours?

Sterling: I will be moving a couple hours away for college next year (going to University of Lincoln) which unfortunately means I’ll be away during crane season, but I plan to come back to help as much as I can!