When he took a cross-country business trip to British Columbia about four years ago, Knud Rasmussen did what any self-respecting birder would do — he spent a day driving around, searching for new species to add to his "life list."

Although he was successful, the Toronto man was frustrated. It would've been so much easier if he'd known local birders — experts who could guide him to the best locales.

Upon returning home to Vancouver, Rasmussen decided to create a Web site to do just that for other traveling birders.

Birdingpal, www.birdingpal.org, now boasts more than 2000 active contacts around the globe. The user-friendly site opens to world map: click on your continent of choice, then select a country. Pakistan, for instance, has 16 birder listings; Argentina 11; Ethiopia only one.

The site also includes paid tour guides, lodging options, birding news and articles, a chat forum and a trip planner.

The Washington page lists 48 members and links to 28 Audubon chapters and other local resources.

Nina Gayle, a birding pal listed for the Ocean Shores area, said her mom once used the web site to line up a birding guide for a trip to Australia.

"It was a very positive experience," she said. "I think it's a great thing."