I am Amy Bowers. I am a writer, teacher, and artist. I grew up near the swamps of Florida and see the southern wetlands as fertile ground where anything with imagination and grit can survive. From escaped monkeys to meth labs to Burmese pythons to the mythic Swamp Ape, it all thrives in the rich, biodiverse landscape.

After moving to Connecticut with my three kids and soon-to-be ex-husband, I found myself spending a lot of time in parking lots waiting for kids to come out of theatre rehearsals, taking private calls from my lawyer, chatting with friends from all over as therapy, and writing a manuscript as I finished my MFA.

What I noticed as I spent hours and eternities in my car, is that I was not alone. Maybe the pandemic pushed folks from their homes into their cars when they needed some space, or maybe the constant phone companion made us never feel alone. Whatever the case, I began to watch what people were up to. Most stared down at their phones. Some hotboxed. And a few got out of their cars to scatter food for the birds. Then they returned to their cars to watch the seagulls, crows, and pigeons peck and steal from one another in an ecstatic show.

This website will chronicle my research notes as well as share photos and writing from other parking lot enthusiasts.

I am a college professor, a former homeschool parent, a master naturalist, and a burgeoning instructional and experience designer. I once created a set of merit badges for mothers and sold them to fund my book-buying habit. If you are interested in participating in this project, please reach out at amybarbo@gmail.com.

This site is dedicated to my love of parking lots and the birds that live there. You will find tips on watching and feeding the birds, the natural history of the four most common parking lot birds, and some cultural bird content (poems, artwork, music...).

Before you start exploring, try the quiz below to find out what kind of parking lot bird YOU are!