🐦 A birding boom in Philly | Morning Newsletter

Rise and shine, Philly. A sunny day is in store, with a high of 58.

Our Sunday read highlights a once-niche hobby that has found a new flock of enthusiasts in Philadelphia.

Further along, take a trip to the epicenter of Pennsylvania’s growing measles outbreak, where some say the virus is simply part of life.

Scroll along for these stories and more.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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There’s a new generation of birdwatchers out there who are eager to explore nature, build community, and spot something extraordinary.

The factors driving an expanding wave of young, city-dwelling birders include the convergence of COVID-19 isolation and the proliferation of modern nature apps. Such apps allow people to tap into a global database of the natural world around them, and identify birds fluttering by.

For some, birding is a vital offline sanctuary, as well as a way to find community and pique their curiosity about the environment.

Notable quote: “I think there’s been more interest in birds and more research and more activity around birds here in the Philly area than any other place in the Western Hemisphere,” said Keith Russell, program manager for urban conservation at Audubon Mid-Atlantic.

Environmental reporter Frank Kummer has the story on the soaring pursuit of urban birding, along with video by The Inquirer’s Kyle Crichton.

Keep going: The Philly region is home to hundreds of great birding spots. We asked some ornithologists and enthusiastic bird watchers to reveal their favorite places.

In the midst of Pennsylvania’s deadliest measles outbreak in decades, the rural enclave of Mifflin County recently counted the highest rate of infection of any county in the state.

But despite this troubling distinction, there are few tangible signs of concern among locals about the growing public health crisis, my colleague Dugan Arnett reports.

In a visit earlier this month, Arnett spoke to area members of the Amish and non-Amish communities, who appear to find little sense in worrying about the situation. “Measles seems to have been largely met with a sort of shrugging detachment,” he writes about the mood in Mifflin.

Join Arnett for a look at what it’s like to live there right now.

In related news: Pa. will accept help from a “disease detective” sent by the CDC to curb the worst measles outbreak in the country, the state’s top health official said Friday, while repeating a demand for federal acknowledgment of measles-associated deaths here.

🎤 Here’s Tommy Rowan with a look back at the “Macho Row” Phillies winning the National League pennant in 1993.

Baseball’s fanciest franchises and their snobby fans just don’t understand.

The Phillies lost the 1993 World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays — and in monumental fashion.

Why would Philadelphia sports fans choose to continue celebrating a season that ended in a gut-wrenching way?

So we can explain it this way: There’s a difference between a team that wins the World Series, and a team that wins the hearts of Philadelphians.

Read on for the full story.

Mass hysteria over the Jersey Devil gripped the Philadelphia area beginning on Jan. 16, ____, when reports surfaced of odd footprints in South Jersey.

A) 1799

B) 1805

C) 1836

D) 1909

Think you know? Check your answer.

🧀 Devouring: A “Lemon Pookie Cheesesteak” from arguably the most obsessive Eagles fan — in Montreal.

⚽ Cheering on: The Union extended their unbeaten run to 15 games.

🪨 Impressed by: A Berwick councilwoman is one of the few women to lift Scotland’s 700-pound Dinnie stones.

🎞️ Raving about: A great kickoff to the 25th Philadelphia Film Fest with The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.

🍂 Reliving: The grim fall of 1776 in Philly, when independence hung on by a thread.

Hint: In Delaware County

WINDY HELIPORTS

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to Mike Bernardi, who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Fashion District. The Fashion District has taken on a new tenant that is spooky — but not scary.

🎶 Today’s song goes like this: “You don’t have to carry the weight / You just have to love me back.”

👋🏽 Thanks for starting your day with us. Take care.

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